Ex Supersport
They call it “crush jumping” and it is the latest tactic from opposition teams to stop the Springboks from forming their potent maul when on attack.
The ploy – which often looks like competing in the lineout, but is actually illegal – happens when an opposition lock waits for the Springbok jumper – in most cases Eben Etzebeth, to take the ball, and on his way down wraps his arms around him, or alternatively falls onto the shoulders of the supporting lock.
Other than playing the player in the air, the opposition player comes down on the side of the Springboks often stopping them from forming the maul they so want to.
Not only is this illegal, but it is also not being picked up often enough by referees across the board. While there are debates about the legality of the maul, as a current part of the rules, the Boks have become masters at using it to their advantage.
Referees already have enough trouble looking at players “swimming up” the side of the maul, and creating what they call “speed bumps” to stop the maul from forming. Often players are allowed to come up the side and not to the middle to get to the back of the maul, but referees have become rather streetwise at times to this.
Another tactic is to lift the jumper’s legs when he is down on the ground, thereby stopping momentum for the maul, and allowing the defence to create a buffer and force the attacking side to use the ball and not continue to maul.
In the following video (Dont know how to insert the video oaks so go take a look), there are some examples of this, and show just how in this year’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship it has been an effective ploy by both Australia and New Zealand to stop the Springboks from launching their trademark maul.
But it is illegal, and while it is picked up from time to time, it is happening a lot too often for comfort, with the Boks becoming ever more frustrated at the referees’ inability to pick up these indiscretions.
Saturday’s referee is Nigel Owens, who is known to be a lot stricter than other refs, and it is only hoped that he – with the help of his assistant referees – will police this aspect.
I suppose when the wee abs just cant compete with the power of the Mighty BOks they always turn to under hand tactics.
I cannot but believe the first question any person being interviewed for an ab coaching position is - tell us 10 ways whereby we can circumvent the rules and not be caught out. Next question is tell us 10 ways we can injure opposition players and not get carded.
If they fail on these two questions they have no future. If the abs play it straight they get beat.
So nice to see all these underhand tactics being brought out into the LIGHT. Most uncomfortable time for the kiwis living in the darkness. You wobblies are also implicated here.
I appeal to all kiwi bird brains - don't shoot the messenger I am only reporting what rugby journalists are writing about. There appears around the world to be a consistent theme.
