Less kicking, fewer subs and faster scrums: My rugby wishlist for 2024

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.
Uruguay’s performance astounds observers. World Rugby Cup

Uruguay’s performance at the Rugby World Cup astounds observers.

1:57 Uruguay’s Rugby World Cup performance astounds AFL players in the off-season

Mat Rogers wonders how coaches will approach selection for the rest of the Rugby World Cup after Uruguay’s impressive performance against an under-strength France.

The review also gave light on what needs to be changed. We discussed how the defense dominates the game, but the item that is arguably having the most influence on performance and results right now 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.

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’ biggest match was the one in which they lost the kicking duel at the World Cup in France.

Wales’ biggest match was the one in which they lost the kicking duel at the World Cup in France.Getty Images

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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