Novel rugby solutions

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 34

Novel rugby solutions

NZPA London Scotland’s rugby captain, Andy Irvine, would like to see goal posts done away with while a former Wales captain, Mervyn Davies, would like to see a try ■ valued at five or six points, i That’s these two players’ solutions to goal-kickers’ domination of international rugby. “The game is being spoiled by goal-kickers,” said Irvine, who almost singlehandedly kicked Scotland to victory against the hapless Wallabies last year, scoring 19 points in goals. “I would take the goal posts away — we might leave them for their aesthetic value — but I would not allow goal kicks.” He said that free kicks k could be awarded with a loss k of ground to the team caus- ; ing the infringement for up i to 50 metres. For the more ■ serious physical penalties, Ir- i vine said the culprits could ; be sent off the field for 10 or ! 15 minutes. ' Davies believes that raising the value of a try by one i point would stop many Five Nations championships being ■ decided by penalty.points. “Alternatively, the Inter- : national Board could ' dispense with the conversion ; and make any try worth six ■ points,” he said.