Swing Low, Sweet Chariot* (I think)

Rugby World Cup blogging: well, that was a disappointing weekend wasn’t it? For the second tournament in a row both semi-finals went the way I didn’t want them so. Such is life. So England vs South Africa it is.

Both semi-finals demonstrated that it is easier to win games form a defensive posture than was the case even four years ago. The balance between defence and attack, out of kilter for much of the last decade, has been restored. One could add France’s victory over New Zealand and Scotland’s at home to England in 2006 as other examples of this trend. On the whole this is healthy for the game. But in each of these four games, the side that enjoyed the majority of possession and territory failed to take advantage of their chances and, in this respect at least, forfeited their right to victory.

The reason for this change, I think, is that referees have at long last been told to allow a contest for possession at the tackle.