Tedious kicking 'destroying international rugby'

Monday 8 February 2010
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > Argentina

As kicking becomes increasingly prevalent in the international game, one critic has questioned whether the practice is actually damaging the sport.

Gerald Davies, writing for the Times, said that "aerial ping-pong" is increasingly taking centre stage when it comes to the headline clashes but claims that this is not what the audience wants to see.

He pointed out that expert kicks to the corner from the likes of Ronan O'Gara are not to blame, but rather the constant back and forth kicking employed by the likes of Argentina at the last World Cup.

"Masquerading as tactical nous, these kicks are triggered by fear and probably understandably so; the fear of players who do not want to risk being caught short in their own half," Mr Davies said.

Meanwhile, the boot of Ronan O'Gara was in fine form against Italy, as the mercurial fly-half converted six out of six attempts on goal to condemn the Azzurri to their first defeat of the campaign.

Posted by Ben Welch