How to fix rugby: The sport needs less kicking in order to thrive – Warren Gatland

I recently spoke at a World Rugby conference in Sydney on our World Cup experience in France. I was joined by Simon Raiwalui, who represented the tier two sides after just stepping down as Fiji coach to take up a position with World Rugby.

The event was intended to serve as a World Cup preview for tier-two nations such as Chile, Portugal, Uruguay, Romania, and Namibia. It was intriguing to see the data on the successful teams, and it was eye-opening to learn about the enormous hurdles those teams face over the course of a four-year World Cup cycle, and how difficult it is for them to get up to speed in time for the event.

The study also gave some light on what changes should be made to the game. We discussed how the defense dominates the game, but the biggest component in the game right now that is arguably having the most influence on performance and results is the kicking game and strategy.

This contains the number of kicks each side, the sort of kicks, and the number of metres kicked. What has happened is that the middle of the field has become a zone where no team wants to be turned over, especially if the concession is a penalty at the breakdown, whether for a player not releasing, going off his feet, or in at the side of a ruck. Giving up a penalty in that area of the field can have a significant impact on what happens next and how long it takes to recover the ball.
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During the World Cup in France, the team with the most kicking metres won roughly 80% of the time. It’s a damning statistic from the standpoint of a coach and a player who wants to play rugby, shift the ball when opportunities come, and take risks. Instead, there is a larger emphasis on territory, on being smart with the ball and limiting mistakes in the game, especially in the middle of the pitch – and that implies more territorial kicking.

It was a statistic that stung Wales throughout the World Cup. I was thrilled that we won the pool, defeating Fiji and Australia along the way, but we had a good chance to advance to the semi-finals, which would have been a fantastic return. However, our quarter-final loss to Argentina was the only game in which we lost the kicking duel despite making more line breaks, carry meters, and passes. Argentina had more kicks and kicking metres than us at the end of the game. It is one thing to know the statistics, but you must also be able to use them.
Wales manager Warren Gatland. Photographer: Huw Evans Agency
Wales manager Warren Gatland. Photographer: Huw Evans Agency

To address this issue, we need to do something to shift the balance back in favor of the attack, but with so much focus on international rugby performances, I hope people can see why the kicking game has such a huge influence right now.

I believe there are a number of modifications that may be implemented to better the game once the new World Cup cycle begins. The first point to mention is the officiating. As a game, we must do all possible to assist the referee and match officials. Rugby union has traditionally prided itself on treating officials as if they were players, but this must be expanded. We must all pay attention to this.
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The involvement of the television match official and bunker system must also be evaluated before we determine whether to proceed. I’d also want to see some discussion on the use of red cards. I loved how they implemented a 20-minute red card in Super Rugby.

It was rejected by the northern hemisphere nations, but I believe it should be reconsidered because we do not want semi-finals or finals decided by cards. Those are the times when the entire world is watching our game, and it is an opportunity to expand the audience, and you don’t want to disrupt the show. Most people, I believe, could cope with a 20-minute sanction.
Increase the speed of scrums

Some law modifications that I would want to see would also assist improve the game from an attacking standpoint. One idea I’ve had is to remove the’mark’ from the game. I’m not convinced it’s necessary any longer. It simply slows the game down and removes some of the risk of sending high balls up into the opposing 22.

We also need to accelerate scrums. Referees have prohibited teams from huddling before line-outs, but what about scrum time? I told one of my coaches that we needed to rush there, set up as quickly as possible, and put the referee and opposition under some pressure to speed up the scrums. Keep an eye out for Wales to use this in the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

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