Has the Game changed since 2009?

I think not. The Bools were using the U&U approach 50 years ago when WP could rely on the glorious running of Gainsford, Jannie Engelbrecht, BP van Zyl, Gert Muller and HO de Villiers. And they were effective. This kind of game has been declared dead many times.....but in the 2009 RC it was dominant.

I don't believe all the talk of our opponents learning how to counter the kicking game. I think our execution has declined. Time and again on the YE tour we would loft the ball without any credible chase.

Don't get me wrong.....there was always room for more strings in our bow. But without a credible kick and chase game, we are less dangerous than Ireland, Wales....maybe the Bargies..... and certainly Oz and NZ.

Fix kicking, fix and supercharge the defence, anticipate and revel in the counter attack.....and kick a few drops. Don't fumble at scrummie, kick over the dead ball line, collapse in the scrums and play the man in the air.

Old School.

Moz: the game (rules) have changed but some teams have not adapted their game to the new rules .

Incidently, when are you going to upgrade to a colour photo for your avatar picture

There are two aspects to the question, yes the laws have changed and in particularly at the contact area for the up and under.

The receiver is now protected by the law and the chaser must take due care of the safety of the receiver, two yellow cards and two penalties against Habana this November is ample proof of that.

The law at the breakdown has changed in regards to the rights of the tackler and no longer benefits the defensive team.

So there goes your up and under tactics.

Then teams have adapted to the Up and under game, NZ who is our biggest rival dropped Sivivatu and Rococko because they didn't have the necessary aerial skills and now employ three players in the back who are adept at handling the high ball, at least two of them can kick to exit and if the opportunity arises counter from deep.

So yes, a kickathon and defensive gameplan has seen it's arse.

( i ) To Monitor the Laws of the Game and their effectiveness

( ii ) To Recommend to Council updates and changes to the Laws of the Games as necessary

( iii ) To Recommend to Council the three designated members who will be responsible for determining rulings in law when asked to do so by a Union

( iv ) To Track playing trends in world Rugby and monitoring the Laws and their effectiveness ensuring that the Game continues to be played according to the principles outlined in the Playing Charter

( v ) To Monitor Strategic Initiatives to ensure that the three main strands of the playing of the Game (playing, coaching and officiating) are considered in a holistic and integrated manner

( vi ) To Recommend to Council the membership of the World Rugby Referee Selection Panel

( vii ) To Monitor Strategic Initiatives to assist with the recruitment, training and development of match officials

( viii ) To Consider medical and safety issues related to the playing of the Game

( ix ) To Receive reports from advisory groups and / or working groups (for example in the areas of: Laws, Age Grade, Medical, Womens) on specific issues as requested by itself or the Executive Committee

( x ) To Determine the criteria for international matches

( xi ) To Determine the international matches and tours schedule and playing structure

( xii ) To Debate player welfare issues at high performance level and propose World Rugby policies in this area

( xiii ) To Liaise as necessary with other stakeholders within the Game

( xiv ) To Determine the International Tours Agreement

( xv ) To Deal with other relevant matters which may be referred to it by Council or the Executive Committee

"The receiver is now protected by the law and the chaser must take due care of the safety of the receiver, two yellow cards and two penalties against Habana this November is ample proof of that." - Biltongbek

The question is who is the receiver?

Most will say it is any player in the opposing team, but is that correct? Is it not the aim that when I kick an up and under, that one of my players should catch the ball and thus can be considered as the intended receiver?

The same argument applies when say the flyhalf launches a cross kick for his wing to catch.

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1. There are only two instances where there is a choice of sanction. The first is that when a penalty is awarded, the non offending side has the choice of taking the penalty or they can choose to have a scrum. The second is when one of the teams knock the ball on and the ball goes over the touch line, from the knock-on, then the non-offending team has a choice to either accept the line-out or have a scrum for the knock-on.
2. A try can be scored with the try scorer having even both his feet outside the field of play. If I am not mistaken, this is the instance where downward pressure is required, as I have said, above.
   
3. A player can get red carded any time during the game for something that he did or did not do even before the game. The ref has to confirm that the players have all the correct gear on, before the game. If he spots a player with something illegal, he has to order him to remove it. If,  any time after the game has started, he notices that the player has not complied, he can send him off.