Is Rugby becoming too tactical?

By Peter Ryan

Rugby union is a phenomenal sport with a very loyal fanbase.

It is known as a more traditional sport in most parts of the globe.

However, there is always the concern that a decline in fan interest could happen at any time. We live in a world with many different products for viewers to enjoy, and unconventional sports are becoming increasingly appealing to a mainstream audience.

Rugby union must move with the times. One of the main things to consider is how teams approach a game and whether it is attractive to a casual viewer.

This raises the question: is rugby union in a tactical rut?

Is Rugby in a Tactical Rut?

Like every sport, the approach of rugby teams to how they play the game has changed significantly.

The 1970s are often considered a high point for rugby as an entertainment product. Teams from that era are labelled as “flashy,” and the games back then were entertaining.

In the old days, rugby was much more expansive, and players were fearless in throwing the ball and taking chances.

Nowadays, there is much more structure in how teams approach a contest. It is impossible to compare rugby now to the past.

Players today are a different calibre of athlete, and the level of physicality in the game has increased immensely. This has resulted in similar tactics being employed by most teams.

As stated before, there is a massive emphasis on the physical game. The most physically imposing teams are finding a lot of success right now.

Physical Presence

South Africa is a prime example of this; the foundation of their game plan is based on the pack’s strength.

The Springboks often overpower their opposition, and due to the quality of their bench, it is hard for teams to maintain their defence against Rassie Erasmus’s team.

In Europe, France’s path to victory mostly comes from its physical presence. Physicality is vital in rugby today because it can break the game line.

Defences must step back once the game line is broken, allowing the attack to capitalise. Another benefit is that if you keep feeding the forwards and they break the game line, defences narrow, creating space in the wide channels for the backline to exploit.

Nowadays, this space is usually exploited with a cross-kick. However, if space isn’t made, it often leads to a kick.

In such cases, rugby union becomes less intriguing to the viewer. This is more evident at the international level rather than in the club game.

There is a massive emphasis on defence rather than on making mistakes. Often, this results in the aerial battle being critical.

Territory is everything in today’s game, so we usually see ‘kicking ping pong.’ Players will try to optimise their kicks, but it is easier said than done.

This means you will sometimes see the two sides kicking the ball back and forth.

For fans watching the game, it can become quite tedious.

High-level rugby is about acceptable margins, and teams are looking to avoid mistakes instead of trying to make things happen and taking risks. Of course, there are exceptions, but many teams play similarly.

Could It Hurt the Game from an Entertainment Perspective?

The current style of play, particularly at the international level, may not appeal to the casual viewer.

While rugby union will always have a loyal fanbase, the rise of more unconventional sports in today’s media landscape poses a challenge.

The ability to capture the casual sports market is crucial for rugby union’s continued growth.

The disparity in interest levels between international and club games indicates the potential negative impact on audience engagement.

A prime example is the crowds in Wales; the Principality Stadium is filled to the brim when those famous red jerseys take to the field.

However, the regions struggle to draw crowds, which shows that international games are the focus in people’s minds regarding rugby union.

Attracting New Viewers

It goes back to the idea that if fans lose interest in international games, it could spell doom for the rugby world.

Even though many matches are tight contests, they often have only a few moments that would attract new viewers to the sport.

The product must be entertaining so young generations will want to take it up. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the sport’s entertainment value to keep fans engaged and attract new viewers, ensuring the future of rugby union.

The urgency of preserving the sport’s entertainment value is a critical factor in the future of rugby union.

The current style of play could lead to a decline in the game. If the audience shrinks, there could be fewer players coming through.

Many young players first get exposure to the game by watching it on TV. This is beneficial because seeing top competitors play high-class rugby gives players something to aspire to.

If kids watch teams play an expansive rugby style, they are more likely to take it up as a sport.

For any sport, it is vital to have a constant cycle of players coming into the sport each year. The potential impact of the current style of play on the future of rugby union is a concern that we must address.

Do We Need More Emphasis on Skill?

As the game becomes more reliant on physicality, teams will naturally want to have the most prominent players.

This means that, in some cases, a coach may opt for a bigger player with less stature who may have more ability in terms of playmaking.

The way rugby is played nowadays requires big ball carriers to make those hard yards and break the game line.

There is more underlying desire for this internationally than at the club level. Going back to Wales, the perfect example is the inside centre situation.

Wales’ Situation

Over the years, Warren Gatland has typically opted for a ball-carrying 12, as did Jamie Roberts and Nick Thompkins. Lately, there has been a need for more depth in the position.

Gatland wants to develop Mason Grady in the position right now. Grady is a fantastic athlete who is very imposing on the pitch.

Yet, when playing for Cardiff, the 22-year-old usually plays as an outside centre or wing. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt prefers to have a second receiver at the position, which means Ben Thomas is the regular starter.

Thomas has come off a very impressive URC season and has gained a lot of praise. He started tests for Wales in Australia, but that was at fly-half.

The situation perfectly demonstrates how international teams approach the game compared to a club. Thomas was the best centre in Wales last year but probably didn’t play in position for Wales because he is more physical than others.

There are many ways to make rugby more attractive to fans. However, the main one is decreasing the emphasis on physicality.

Allowing playmakers to run the show should increase the skill level in a game. Yet, it is easier said than done.