The director of rugby at Exeter Chiefs, Rob Baxter, has publicly criticized World Rugby’s latest law change recommendations, labeling them as “madness.” In a recent interview, Baxter argued that the constant tinkering with the game’s laws is not only confusing new spectators but also undermining rugby’s ambitions for global growth.
World Rugby recently announced proposed measures to broaden the appeal of the sport, including reducing the number of times a rolling maul can be restarted and encouraging fewer scrum resets. However, Baxter believes that rugby has an unhealthy obsession with changing laws, with 90% of the modifications being to redo things created by previous law changes.
According to Baxter, the constant changing of laws and interpretations not only confuses new supporters every year but also prevents the game from growing in a sustainable way. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the traditional pillars of the game while also making it safe and enticing to new supporters.
Baxter also expressed concerns about optional trials proposed by World Rugby, such as depowering the scrum and maul, as he believes it could lead to a game with less space and decreased entertainment value. Instead of changing laws, Baxter suggests focusing on leaving things as they are and allowing the game to flow naturally.
The Exeter Chiefs director of rugby urges for a moratorium on law changes and expresses frustration at the constant modifications, stating that it drives him “potty.” He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a powerful maul to create space on the field and encourage teams to commit bodies to it. Baxter’s stance highlights the ongoing debate within the rugby community about the balance between tradition and modernization in the sport.
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