The Law tweak that could end maul try plague

A tweak to the game’s laws has been floated that could end the excess numbers of catch-and-drive maul tries afflicting rugby union – a scoring mechanism that many if not most see as a blight on the game.

Avid rugby fans will be familiar with the now frequent sight of teams kicking for the corner when awarded a penalty, with the subsequent lineout won and the attacking side rumbling over for five points.

Teams have become so technically proficient at rolling mauls that it’s become difficult for the defending teams to repel, which has led to a glut of tries off lineout mauls over the course of the last two seasons.

World Rugby have already tried to counter the trend by proxy. When an attacking team is held up or knocks the ball over the line, it results in a dropout for the defending team, a law brought in last year. The change was principally to lower the number of scrums but it also attempts to stack some cards in favour of teams defending their line against rolling mauls and one-and-done attacks near their line for that matter.

Now Newcastle Falcons press officer Mark Smith has floated a simple yet effective tweak that could end the plague at source.

Smith wrote: “Suggested law change, came up in discussion chatting to a mate earlier. If you kick a penalty into touch in the opposition 22 you don’t get the throw at the lineout. Would mitigate the tedium of teams kicking for the corner all the time and the interminable stream of maul tries.”

Suggested law change, came up in discussion chatting to a mate earlier.

If you kick a penalty into touch in the opposition 22 you don’t get the throw at the lineout.

Would mitigate the tedium of teams kicking for the corner all the time and the interminable stream of maul tries

— mark smith (@markismith50) October 29, 2022

The tweet received over 60 replies, maybe of which were positive.

Some proposed alternatives: “if we want to de-power the maul then do it directly. We had a season where you could legally sack it in 2008-09. I don’t recall any increase in injuries. I’d prefer the nuclear option of just making the maul obstruction (which it blatantly is).”

I’d be in favour of that but I recall the reason they binned that law trial was medical concern over dropped mauls, so it’s not realistic. I’m 100% with you though. I thought that law trial was great. Good mauling teams could still profit from it but there was more variety.

— mark smith (@markismith50) October 30, 2022

Northampton Saints director of marketing and communications Tim Percival wrote: “Thoughts on a potential rule change. Should a try from a 5-metre catch and drive line-out be 5 points only (i.e., no conversion)? Therefore rewarding teams who show more attacking ambition with the chance for extra 2. Maybe not one for the purists, but good for entertainment?”

Thoughts on a potential rule change. Should a try from a 5-metre catch and drive line-out be 5 points only (i.e., no conversion)? Therefore rewarding teams who show more attacking ambition with the chance for extra 2. Maybe not one for the purists, but good for entertainment?

— Tim Percival (@TimPercival) October 29, 2022

Others argued that it would result in more kicking for the posts. Rugby Inside Line wrote: “The counter would be surely teams would just kick for the posts instead? At least if a rolling maul stops you can then have an attack play off the back of it. Is George McGuigan also aware you’re tweeting this?!”

It’s just an idea. I don’t think there’s a perfect answer but when I see a penalty given 30m out I go and pop the kettle on cos I know what’ coming. If it’s turning me off as a hardcore rugby fan, what must it be doing for newbies?

— mark smith (@markismith50) October 30, 2022

Whatever law change might get a trial, it is clear that there is an appetite for change in this area of the game.