Welsh boss says limiting substitutions could ease injury crisis - time to recall the mini rugby players?

Maybe there is a chance for teams like the wee stormers if the rugby laws can be gerrymandered to encourage this.

Here's the article as published in the NZ Herald:

Welsh rugby boss Gareth Davies believes making players see out the full 80 minutes and limiting substitutions could reduce rugby's increasing injury rate.

Northern Rugby has been rocked by ongoing injury issues and following an increased focus on head injuries, World Rugby has seen rules tightened.

Next March World Rugby will be considering proposals to reduce injuries on the field, including one to limit the number of substitutions.

The proposal aims to prevent teams from making mass replacements in the final 20 minutes of the game - the point at which most players tire.

Davies, the former Wales and Lion's fly-half, is on the World Rugby council and believes that such a change would see a reduction in the size of players and help tackle the ongoing crisis.

"Rugby used to be a game for all shapes and sizes and we are moving away from that."

"Players are bigger than their bodies are designed for them to be and a lot of the injuries are because of that, not just because of the physical demands of the game," Davies told The Guardian.

"If players have to run for 80 minutes, they will have to become lighter and get closer to their natural body weight and there is a chance of opening up the game. It is worth looking at because many are now conditioned to play for only 50 minutes."

Davies said as a fly-half his job "was to outfox the wing forward but after 50-odd minutes a whole new team would come on".

"It will certainly not get any better. When I played, no one tore biceps of hamstrings off the bone. No one had stinger injuries and what is happening is a player's muscular set-up is not natural while your ligaments and bone structure remain the same. It is the load that causes the problems."

"I am not sure what law changes can achieve. There is an experimental one being conducted now in the tackle but the only way I can see it is guys having to play for the full 80 minutes. That would force them to shed a few stone: players are physical specimens now and if it carries on they will get even bigger and stronger."

Earlier this week Irish great Brian O'Driscoll accused rugby of "going soft" after World Rugby increased its focus on policing tackles.

We still see some of the little blokes having a big impact on the game, e.g. McKenzie, B. Smith, etc so that is good. I'm not convinced there is a need to change things on the field to prevent injuries. The way to prevent so many injuries is have the players play less games, the season is too long.

I refer the oaks to the article submitted by ou maaaaikie in respect of the wee abs having the worst disciplinary record - that of course oaks includes dirty play. Dirty play leads to injuries. Start with blowing the wee abs out of the game until the cretins learn.

Beeno honing in on the kiwi problem! 

Thanks for the compliment Sharkbok, I'm trying to finish the year on a high so to speak. I notice that that wee bloke cc has not congratulated me on my copy pasting lately.

Beeno, Your use of the cigar smoking deal maker in your emoticon reinforces the image of SA deal making with refs - it's a shame these backroom shenanigans have permeated the Boks.

Mozart. @ in the middle of Trump indicates his perpetual confusion & spin. Perhaps I can use Trump as that may communicate more clearly.

JW, always willing to help the helpless & Luddites

PS, I guess you have lost your two favorite playmates (CleverMike & Rooi)

PPS, how can I get hold of AB tickets for the 2018 game in Chicago?

New Zealanders had quite a few highs this year, like winning Super Rugby, winning the Bledisloe Cup, winning the Rugby Championship, going unbeaten on the year end tour, smashing the Yarpies on their own turf in the 7s, a Kiwi named as player of the year. 

Can't think of too many high points for the Yarpies.

Mozarts only high point of the year was when Rooinek left so Mozart stopped having his head handed to him every day.

Urinal overreved his 4 cylinder engine trying to keep up, and popped a valve.

Brilliant Moz HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.  But could we have been to hard on the snowflake? He is a very sensitive dear! Very funny poster is ou rooitwit so obstinately wrong nearly all the time 

Man has Trump not made utter fools of his critics. He just keeps winning. Meanwhile the whole demonrat crime syndicate is unraveling before our eyes. Bwahahahahhahahaha what utter fools these transgender loving anti nation states NWO scumbags look today.

Lord Bless and keep President Trump who is showing himself to be the greatest President in American history. Have to also say Europe is getting more anti Satanic Globalist by the day. 

Love the list of 81 major achievements of President Trump as scheduled by the Washington Examiner not to mention the 100 minor achievements. See Beeno's renowned TRUMP ET More legislation past than any president since Truman !

Ou Jw is a great guy but as ignorant about politics as he is about rugby

Oaks get yourself acquainted with the 9 year old EU Barcelona Declaration that has just come to light. See Beeno's  Trump et

ie dont stay as ignorant as JW!

Orange peeler

New Zealanders had quite a few highs this year:   

Oh I see, so winning Super Rugby, the Rugby Champs, the Bled and sweeping the year end tour can't be counted as highs in the season?

I can just imagine how you Yarpies would be doing back flips if you'd achieved even one of those but AB supporters can't claim them as highs in the season because, well, because they're the All Blacks.

Noted.

Well said Ka Mate When a former great like the Boks can't win games their fans have to bleat about other things. The Bleater in Chief is Beeno of course. As he doesn't know much about rugby he is continuously trying to bring up other subjects. Sadly he doesn't know much about these either.

@KakMate,

It is very unusual for the top-ranked team in a sport- to also be giving away the most penalties and cynical fouls. 

It stands to reason that it is impossible for the top-ranked team to be giving away more cynical penalties- because they should be the team that spends the most time on the attack, and the least time defending. (most points scored versus least points conceded)

The "should have" is the result of the All Blacks cheating - and therefore winning games that should have been lost. (i.e when the opposition have been the better team). 

If your team does not play well- they should not win the game. That is what sport is about. Cheating is about trying to win using negative tactics like fouls in the red zone, or lying on the wrong side when the opposition is getting quick ball.  (The timing of giving away penalties is what makes things so cynical).

Brazil are the best football team, but they are not also the most cynical team in football. (as a season to season average).

Something does not add up here. Usually, it is weaker teams that give away more fouls- and play cynically. 

On the positive side, referees are now watching the All Black much more closely. 

The Springboks are the worst they have ever been- but if they had an international coach that could select players from overseas- they would still be a competitive team capable of challenging for a top 3 position. (at the very worst- still in the top 5).

.duplicate. (It seems some postings are not getting posted right away- only to show up later)

@Kiwi's . Just kidding, doing a Beeno on you all!