https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/02/rugby-union-nostalgia-defences-space-tackles
Michael AylwinThe game is infinitely more skilful and entertaining than in the past and nostalgists should be careful what they wish forJa, rugby is way better, but that comes with professionalism and players making a career out of it and not being Minolta sales man look the former boks use to be.
It was different. But yes, watching 80s rugby now there was a lot more fumbling and basketball going on and the game was far looser and less organized. It's more professional now, as you'd expect from a sport that is the players' job now versus their leisure in the old days.
We have lost some things……hookers that can hook….lineout forwards who really jump, as opposed to lift/jump. There were also more direct contests….players took care of their opposites all the way to the wing. I recall the papers speculating whether Dewi Bebb the Welsh sprinter was going to gas Jannie Englebrecht….he didn’t.
The maul wasn’t nearly as prominent, scrums weren’t penalized you won a tighthead…more like a turnover.
But above all there was much more space so the great runners had more opportunity to showcase their talent. Modern rugby has become tighter and clearly more professional. But less enjoyable to watch if you take away the need to win.
I would say if you are watching a key test the tension is the same, so you are just as engrossed. But watch two clubs you don’t care about and the repetitive process nature of modern rugby can be a little predictable.
Always remember rugby in the "OLD Day's was played by folks who toiled during the day trained after work and played rugby on Saturdays.
That is true for most except the "CONNECTED" old players.
Today the players are full time professionals, with trainers in all departments, dietians, masseurs, fitness instructors and everything they desire to excell.
Sure some great improvements in the game have been made in general the only difference between the old players and the new crop of today is they are earning a lucrative living playing the game they love and all the benefits/perks that go with the contract they have signed.
Old players such as Jaap Bekker, Cris Koch, Tommy Gentles, van Vollenhoven, Gainsford, Keith Oxlee, Jan Pickard and Frik du Preez will forever be remembered and respected by me and our older generations.
Out with the old and in with the new has made the game more entertaining and with the TV coverage more interesting internationally.
Sharks/ Bokke.
If you want professionalism and physicality watch the NFL. Rugby is bound up in rules and reviews. Hell the card that was given to Caine wouldn’t even have registered in the old days. When Fergie McCormick removed a few of Syd Nomis’ teeth, he played on.
We review things to try to enforce stupid rules which have more to do with legal considerations than real safety.
As for size, it’s a generational thing. The 2023 version of Frik du Preez would by 260 lbs and 6’ 6”. He was always short for a lock, but he could jump….put that version of Frik on the park and he would still be awesome,
Dave, Kolisi is half a player….dusted off the down ball, knocked over the goal line. If he makes a dominant tackle it’s because he is the second tackler against a stationary target, as he was in the WC final when he got his card. I suppose if he went lower that would have been classified as a dominant tackle.
Different strokes for different folks.
Those old times did great things in the Green and Gold unfortunately our children and grandchildren will do the same when they crack a smile at our heros of today years from now.
So Barry Richards and Grahame Pollock would be overwhelmed by the new generation and Jack Nicklaus wouldn’t win a tournament.Utter nonsense Gerber, Mordt and Carel du Plessis would still be world class.
Sure you can….your argument is bigger, faster athletes would dominate the old guys. Why aren’t we seeing fast bowlers more threatening than the old West Indies quicks.
As for fast since Hines in 1968 the 100 meters record has dropped 0.37 of a second. Throw out Bolt who is an all time phenom it’s dropped 0.2 of a second.
Bolt’s world record was set 15 years ago. The guys today are only marginally faster. The difference is so slight that a very fast guy 50 years ago would still be right up there.
Much of the size argument for backs is because selection and tactics have favored big guys. With rugby looking more like rugby league and crash ball being the tactic, you chose behemoths.
That’s why it’s so refreshing seeing Arendse and Kolbe cutting these fatties to shreds.
If Mort, Carel and Danie played today, they would have trained and be coached like the current players...they would have been even better...but the level of todays rugby is much better than 20 years ago...Rassie's Bokke will easily put 50 over Morne Dup's team of the 80s.
Frik was never an Etzebeth….he was more of a Matfield/Mostert/ Dud Toit.
As for fatty props how about Baille…one tackle made, one tackle missed against the Boks….there for scrumming and mauls nothing else.
Nonsense Dave Baille just happened to flop over the line…his running stats for that game 5 runs for 5 meters, losing the ball once. Guys like Chris Koch back in fifties were far better general play props than that tub of lard.
As for Mordt being ahead of his time….nonsense again Gert Muller was running over loose forwards in the 60s with a piston like hand off and hip check.
You really should brush up on your historical view of the game.