Running rugby impresses northerners
12 Mar 2010
Wikus van Heerden says Europeans are in favour of the new law interpretations applied in the Super 14.
With the new scrum and breakdown interpretations, there were mixed emotions on the eve of this year’s Super 14. Many pundits felt there were too many law changes made each season and teams would find it difficult to adapt, while others believed after time it would benefit the game by balancing attack and defence.
The 72-65 scoreline in the Chiefs’ second round victory over the Lions elicited mass criticism. Some argued the law interpretations had made it near impossible for defending sides to contest possession.
However, after four rounds, teams are beginning to adapt, on attack and defence, under the new application of the laws. Another positive is that experts, such as Saru manager of referees André Watson and match official Jonathan Kaplan, believe the results will get better as the campaign progresses.
Van Heerden, who’s currently playing in his third and last season for English club Saracens, said the general feeling in Europe is positive.
‘The Super 14 has been a major showcase for the new law interpretations and the guys in the northern hemisphere are speaking positively about it,’ Van Heerden told keo.co.za.
‘It was obvious that it would take some time for the teams to adapt to the changes in interpretation, so it would be a process before the benefits could be seen. But now attacking rugby has flourished. In the past, defending teams were favoured too much, but as proven in the Super 14, things are balancing out.’
After four rounds in the competition, 1442 points and 145 tries have been scored. That’s an average of 26.7 points and 2.6 tries scored per team in a match. Van Heerden said these are the kind of results the Europeans want.
‘The northerners are saying, ”If the laws interpretations can allow them to play attacking rugby, why can’t we?” With the 2011 World Cup coming, there’s going to be clash because there’s a difference in the interpretations here in the north. Referees are stricter at the breakdowns and scrums in the Super 14.
‘Considering the positives seen so far in the Super 14 and the fact that the Europeans want to play under the new law interpretations, I believe it could be implemented globally in the near future. Even though the weather is sometimes difficult up here, the northern hemisphere can still adapt.’
Meanwhile, Van Heerden has agreed to a three-year deal with the Lions and will join them as soon as the current European season ends. Saracens are currently third on the log and are still in the English Premiership title race with six fixtures remaining. They are also in the LV Cup play-offs.
Van Heerden said he is excited to return to Johannesburg.
‘I’ve been watching all the Super 14 coverage of the Lions that I can. Although they haven’t won a game yet, there are massive improvements shown each week,’ he said. ‘They have definitely proved they can score and the defence is picking up each week.
‘You must remember it’s going to be a process for the Lions to develop but [head coach] Dick Muir is doing an amazing job. Players such as Doppies la Grange and Todd Clever have impressed, while everybody’s talking about the new wing Wandile Mjekevu.’
By Gareth Duncan
11 Comments
12 Mar 2010, 08:09 am
Dragons!
12 Mar 2010, 08:56 am
You’ve sorted some of it, well done. But:
“elicited in mass criticism.”
The ‘in’ is not needed here and sounds awkward.
12 Mar 2010, 09:27 am
“Running rugby impresses Wikus van Heerden”
I hope he will learn to pass and stop being the stampkar he is!
12 Mar 2010, 09:54 am
Great player, but FFS ****, do you need another losie? Get a 4, 5, 12, 13, 15
12 Mar 2010, 12:18 pm
@Archbishop Jeremiah Jeffery Jonnas: Thank you, Your Eminence. Please also help educate those that confuse “lose” and “loose”.
12 Mar 2010, 14:51 pm
If the interpretations are implemented up here and they turn out to be really popular, the increased interest will boost the coffers of the NH clubs who will in turn sign more top SH players.
12 Mar 2010, 14:53 pm
@Big Hit: they will never agree to it BH, you know that… it was conjured up by that riff raff at the bottom of the world, like the ELVs remember… no way in hell the NH will agree to a SH initiative..
12 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
@poppa69: they will have no choice, Paddy O’Kiwi controls the reffing, if it is successful SH players will economically migrate in greater numbers.
12 Mar 2010, 15:19 pm
Hmmm… yeah. That’s possible BH, but that would mean weakening of the NH teams in the internationals, with less local players to choose from.
12 Mar 2010, 15:24 pm
@Bouts: There’s always an upside…as long as SH coaches are prepared to select players from NH
13 Mar 2010, 05:38 am
England does not know how to play running rugby
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