The coronavirus pandemic caused the postponement of the oldest rugby tournament in Sri Lanka, the Clifford Cup competition and rugby lovers can only hope that the popular sport will hit the pitch without further delay.
But despite rugby followed in Sri Lanka by a large number of sports fans, it is fervently believed that a considerable number need to know the finer aspect of the game.
For example what is ‘good ball’ and ‘bad ball’ in rugby?. It is necessary to distinguish between these types of ‘balls’ or quality possession obtained without hindrance and releasing it out at the best time for attack. Bad ball is when the ball is won and becomes more advantageous to the opponents or non possessors than to the attackers.
Good ball in a scrum is when the ball emerges at the correct time not too early or too late for the scrumhalf. Bad ball is when the ball emerges too quickly or slowly or from the wrong channel.
A ball delayed in a ruck has the same effect on back play. In fact worse as the chances of scoring from a ruck can be greater. The aims of the forwards are to gain quality possession for the backs and preventing their opponents from getting good ball.
Any bad pass is a bad ball. A pass too low or too high or too weak or too strong puts the receiver in trouble. Passes given when it is too late or too soon is also of little or no use to the receiver. Passes given to the wrong players have lost matches. It is all in the handling if this aspect of rugby is neglected like it happens in all levels of rugby. We get the rugby we deserve.
Kicks also cause bad ball and the obvious won’t be stressed here. It happens in many a match played over here. A good ball is rendered useless by kicking it way. No greater disservice can be done to rugby. It is for this very reason that the game can lose its luster. Bad balls defy being transformed in to good balls. An excellent characteristic of a good player is that he makes a difficult (bad) ball seem easy (good).
The ruck and maul: The legal definition of a ruck is when a ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team are on their feet in physical contact closing on the ball between them. A maul is formed by one or more players from each team on their feet in physical contact closing round the player carrying the ball.
In these two aspects, the forwards always look to make headway by retaining the ball and heading towards to try-line and depriving the opponents of possession. The forwards in a maul also have the task of not only driving forward but also protecting the scrumhalf who is ready to collect the ball coming out of the maul or in the case of a ruck.
The player with the ball who is tackled secures ruck possession by driving the shoulder into the opponent tackler before falling thereby ensuring that the ball will be easier to procure by his team. Notwithstanding the referee’s judgement.
In a maul the player with the ball gets into a half squatting position with his back to the opponents. The nearest two forwards form a wedge with the ball carrier. This method is the most secure way of winning the ball. But it is not as tidy as it is described here. There is not much that late entrants can do in a maul especially if the first three, the ball carrier and the wedge makers have done their jobs properly. The late comers can only shove. The ball carrier must release the ball when he knows that to keep it too long will only ensure bad ball to his own side.
The kick off and drop out: The kick off must be perfect, serving its purpose. It must be kicked in such a manner that your own forwards must be able to retrieve the ball at full speed.
The receivers should have to fall back than move forward. The kicker best able to do so, must take the kick off. The right forwards must line-up behind the kicker and move up with the kicker and as he kicks they need to move out at full speed. The winger on that side moves up with the forwards. The centers and remaining winger together with the fly-half remain behind the forwards ready to receive the ball or to smother an attack by the opposing backs.
The fullback is on the open-side flank of the forwards. Of course whoever who takes the kick must at once get back into position. The teams receiving the ball have their forwards dispersed in a wide area in scrum formation. Behind and next to the touchline is the right-side wing. The scrumhalf will be on the open side behind his forwards. The back line accordingly.
The fullbacks must be in anticipation of receiving a long kick. When the kick off is made to the opposite side, the reverse formation takes place.
Short penalty: This must be participated in over and over again. Any player regardless of his position must be able to take this at a signal from the captain or the leader. Usually, it should be taken by the first player nearest to the ball so quick that the opponents have no time to react.
The backs who will receive this ball must be immediately in position to attack.
The player taking the quick penalty must exploit the general confusion of the opposition.