Deans backs new law interpretations but feels refs can do more

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has endorsed the new law interpretations featured in the opening two rounds of the Super 14 competition, but believes referees must go a step further in order to achieve perfection.

While no changes have been made to the existing laws, SANZAR’s directive to whistle-blowers to crack down on the tackler at the breakdown has had the desired effect of encouraging more running rugby and less mindless kicking.

The defender is now required to roll away completely from the tackled player before attempting to contest possession, making it far easier for the attacking side to keep the ball and build sustained pressure.

As a result, the first 14 games of the season have produced a staggering 822 points – 196 more than at the same stage last year at an increase of 14 points per game.

But while the former Crusaders mentor hailed the start of this Super Rugby season as the best in recent memory, he challenged officials to now target players who continue to illegally leave their feet at the ruck.

“We’re very close to perfection I think, so if they can get the whole picture right and lift the height of the ruck we’ll have a great game – and I think we’ve seen evidence of that already,” said Deans. “Dealing with the first event (the tackle) is relatively easy and having dealt with that they can now turn their focus to the arriving support players and insist that they play the game on their feet, because there is no need now to launch with your shoulders below your hips to remove bodies off bodies.

“So given the referee is going to cater for that, they (players) should be able to enter the ruck higher ... there’s still an incentive to go there for both sides so there’ll be a genuine contest.

“The risk is if referees don’t insist on attacking support players playing on their feet then essentially the defence will opt out of the contest and then we’ll end up with a cluttered D-line that we had a couple of years ago.”

While the Chiefs’ record 72-65 win over the Lions sparked concerns the scales have been tipped too heavily in favour of the attacking side, Deans insists he has no problem with the 18-try affair.

“That was living proof of what is possible if you’re constructive,” he said.