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Ex-Wales skipper's stinging World Rugby critique: 'What we have now is a circus run by clowns'

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

A former Wales captain has claimed that rugby’s indefinite suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic has helped to highlight how the sport has become boring and more dangerous in recent years. The lack of live action has resulted in multiple broadcasters visiting their video vaults to show old rugby matches, allowing fans to compare what the game was like in years gone by with the spectacle the modern-day professionals now put on.

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Paul Thorburn, the 57-year-old who won 37 Wales caps between 1985 and 1991, believes it has been illuminating seeing this alleged then and now difference. Writing on walesonline.co.uk, the full-back – who later became the 1999 World Cup tournament director – slammed modern trends and expressed concern with World Rugby’s insistence that the sport is moving in the right direction.

“For me, nothing will change until we see a fatality on the field of play at international level – then there will be some serious questions to answer,” he wrote. “The recent pandemic restrictions and lack of live sport has presented the broadcasters and rugby enthusiasts with an opportunity to relive some historic sporting fixtures, including many incredible International matches dating back as far as the 1970s.

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“If ever there was an opportunity for World Rugby to see how the game flowed, how few injuries there were and how much space there was for players to express themselves, then it is now, so let’s hope that they haven’t all buried their heads in the sand and are thinking that the game is thriving and in good hands.”

Disappointed that the WRU gave its backing to current World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont in the latest election, Thorburn further criticised the residency qualification rules that will see the length of stay only extend from three to five years from the end of this year. “A strong leader would have prevented things exploding, and would have brought the European unions together to implement a sustainable and acceptable template.

“We would have a domestic programme where homegrown talent is at the core of recruitment and development; we would have a European competition based around homegrown talent, with competing teams having to field a predominance of home-nation qualified players. What we have now is a circus run by clowns.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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