South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has penned an interesting column for the Mail Online detailing three major changes that could potentially make rugby great again.
#1. Fixing the scrum
Erasmus wrote: " Nobody would question decisions made by guys like Graham Rowntree or Petrus du Plessis or Joe Marler as expert scrum referees, if they officiate the scrums as stated precisely in the law book and better yet no one in the game will have to adapt."
Scrum down for Kyle Sinckler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#2. Two referees
Erasmus wrote: "The idea of two referees sounds radical and it has been tried, but it can work if done correctly. If it’s efficient and non-intrusive, it could make a massive difference around the tackle/breakdown area."
Referee, Aurelie Groizeleau checks the TMO during the Women's Six Nations match between England Women and Italy Women at Sandy Park on March 9th 2019, Exeter, Devon. Photo: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
#3. Shot clock
Erasmus wrote: "You get 60 seconds to kick a penalty and 90 seconds to kick a conversion. People want to see more ball in play, so why not police those time limits? We are regularly involved in matches where the kicker goes 20 seconds over the allowance."
Marcus Smith of England lining up ready to kick a penalty during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK
