Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Now we've got this game that's almost like NFL': The law changes Eddie Jones wants to speed up rugby

(Photo by Visionhaus)

England head coach Eddie Jones believes rugby needs to follow in the footsteps of the NRL and introduce law changes in an attempt to speed up the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking on Sky Sport‘s The Breakdown, the former Wallabies and Japan boss said that although the ball remains in play for around 35 minutes, test matches can last for nearly two hours as a result of in-game head injury assessments and officials “talking more”.

Jones said the game has become “almost like the NFL” due to increasing stoppages in play, and suggested potential amendments to the law to help increase the pace of the sport.

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Episode 19

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Episode 19

“We need higher quality rugby. The game has gradually moved along a track and hasn’t been looked at carefully enough. Now we’ve got this game that’s almost like NFL,” the former Wallabies and Japan boss said.

“The NRL is a good example of when you make one adjustment to a law and you change the game for the better. It’s definitely become less of a wrestle in the NRL and a faster more continuous game and I think we need to make that adjustment in rugby.”

The NRL, which returned to action on May 28 after a two-month lay-off due to the coronavirus outbreak, introduced a ‘six again’ rule whereby teams are handed a fresh set of six tackles for an infringement at the ruck instead of a penalty.

The rule change was designed to prevent teams from slowing the ball down in the tackle, which yielded high-octane, free-flowing action in the league’s first round back from its suspension.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jones said that rugby union could implement similar rules to create the same effect, suggesting the number of reserve players on the bench be reduced from eight to six.

“I’d only have six reserves and I reckon that’d make a hell of a difference,” he said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnei-7Afj6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Then you’d have the front-rowers, you’d have one backrower that’d have to cover the back five, one halfback and then one back that covers the rest. That would introduce some fatigue into the game.”

Additionally, Jones recommended that free kicks be awarded in place of scrum resets, which have become notorious for winding chewing up the clock throughout matches.

“I need to think this one through a bit… we need to go to a differential penalty where you can’t kick for goal and you’ve got to take a quick tap or kick to the line. We’ve got to try and get some more movement in the game.”

New trial laws – such as golden point extra-time and 20-minute red cards – have been implemented ahead of the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition that is set to kick-off next Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 48 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

8 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out' Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out'
Search