Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has launched a passionate attack on one of rugby’s most debated laws, claiming it has repeatedly cost his side this season.
The Cape side has become the unwanted kings of being held up over the tryline, with several scoring opportunities denied throughout their Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup campaigns.
Their latest frustrations came in the quarter-final win against Cardiff, where both captain Ruhan Nel and replacement scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer were held up over the line.
For Dobson, the issue lies with the law itself.
Under current World Rugby regulations, an attacking team held up over the tryline loses possession and the defending side is awarded a goal-line dropout. Previously, the attacking team received a 5m scrum.
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“That’s been our whole season,” Dobson said. “That’s the one law in rugby that has to change.
“I’m not saying that just because it’s against us. I just don’t understand this concept. You do so well, and you’re rewarded with receiving the ball back on your 10m line.
“The old law was much better. If you attack well, you got a 5m scrum.”
The Stormers have suffered several costly examples this season. Adré Smith was held up at the death in their Champions Cup round-of-16 defeat to Toulon, while the Lions denied them three tries at Ellis Park.
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Even Nel was left scratching his head after seeing a try ruled out against Cardiff.
“It’s frustrating,” he admitted. “My arms were free, I just happened to put it down on his knee.”
Despite the irritation, Nel believes there is a positive side to the statistic.
“You’re obviously getting into the right spaces,” he said.
Still, after a season filled with near-misses, the Stormers captain summed up the solution in far simpler terms than his coach.
“Just get the flippen thing down.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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