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Ben Ryan: Retallick case is why ruck laws must change

Wales' Rhys Webb is forced off with an injury versus New Zealand in November 2017 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Sevens supremo Ben Ryan says the shoulder injury to All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick is a good test case for why rugby union’s ruck laws need changing.

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New Zealand remain hopeful that Retallick will be available for Rugby World Cup selection after the lock dislocated his shoulder during the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa on Saturday.

Retallick left the field in agony after a clearout at a ruck in the 61st minute of the 16-16 draw at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The 28-year-old was taken to hospital, with the injury initially casting doubt on Retallick’s hopes to play in Japan.

On Sunday, the All Blacks tweeted to say there was still a possibility the forward would be fit for the tournament starting in September.

“Head Coach Steve Hansen said Brodie Retallick suffered a dislocated shoulder in last night’s Test draw against South Africa,” the team tweeted.

“He says while no timeline is being given on his return to play, the selectors were hopeful that he would be available for RWC selection.”

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The incident has been griss to the mill for those wanting a change to the ruck laws, Ben Ryan being chief among them.

“So many of the rucks tonight in #NZvRSA looked like this – bodies littered on the floor, side entries, just a mass of a mess. Officials haven’t got a hope of picking the bones out of this – infringements everywhere,” Ryan wrote. “Direction must come from on high ASAP.”

He is not alone.

A growing concensus among many pundits is that the ruck area has become too lawless and that it’s an area of the game where risk of injury has become too high.

https://twitter.com/dannycare/status/1155240851712483330?s=19
https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1155041809594232832?s=19

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Ryan spoke on BT Sport on the topic too.

Writing on his own website – benryan.co.uk – Ryan states: “Decisions and action must be taken now by World Rugby before serious injuries become the talking point. High profile coaches and players please speak out.”

– additional reporting PA

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Hellhound 1 hour ago
The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

I mean overall talent, not that they will all play 20 years. That is impossible with rugby. The younger players like Elrigh is of course not world class yet. With more experience they will become world class. They are already exceptional players. Not even Eben and the current boys was world class when they started. They were exceptional yes, but not world class. Only experience brings that.


Generational players is very few and far inbetween who is world class from the off. The younger players can only become world class with the proper training and experience isn't something that can be bought. It's something they have to earn through their careers.


As for SRP being a good competition, I disagree. It's slanted in NZ favour and always has been. It's not what it used to be. The URC is now rated as the top club competition in the world next to the top 14 outside of the CC, and I didn't make up that rankings. You feel SRP is better because of our bias towards the NH, but it simply is not.


Yes, I don't know all the young Bucs of NZ coming through, but most of those you named I've seen and they are very good players but not exceptional nor world class. Just as with SA youngsters, that is something that will come with experience and they will become world class and is definitely the future for them.


NZ and Australia don't have the player pool depth that SA have. NZ's are bigger than most, but then most of their stars came from the Island nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. If you count them, then maybe yes, they have as big a pool.


NZ will always be a top 3 team, as will SA. At least for the next 2 decades. That doesn't mean that other countries don't have some world class youngsters coming through either.


I don't claim that SA will win everything for the next 20 years. Nor that they will win the next 5 WC's. A lot depends on players, coaches, law changes and how the game keeps changing. There is too much variables. SA do have a bright future for the next 20 years , players who will hold the flag high. Same with NZ.


Nothing and no one can stop the Rivalry. I know the Irish is trying to replace the Boks with themselves as the main rivals. Everyone tunes in to watch the Boks vs AB's, all over the world. Every year. That is the most anticipated Tests by everyone every year.

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