The Maul! It's back! Huzzah!

thebossanova

With the maul coming back in to play as an attacking weapon I think it would be good to have some discussion on it, and for any new players to get to know what to do, and more importantly what not to do during a maul!

The IRB have posted videos for players, ref's and coaches alike on the subject.

http://www.irblaws.com/EN/guidelines/

I especially like the clips on the detaching of players from the back of the maul. There is a very fine line sometimes, and some ref's used to let a lot go, ie. not calling truck and trailer.

OldJay

thebossanova wrote: »

With the maul coming back in to play as an attacking weapon I think it would be good to have some discussion on it, and for any new players to get to know what to do, and more importantly what not to do during a maul!

The IRB have posted videos for players, ref's and coaches alike on the subject.

http://www.irblaws.com/EN/guidelines/

I especially like the clips on the detaching of players from the back of the maul. There is a very fine line sometimes, and some ref's used to let a lot go, ie. not calling truck and trailer.

Obstruction in the forming of a maul is another area that is being highlighted for attention.
For some good mauling even during the variation season, see Ireland v France last season. The lads were excellent.

maherro

God I loved mauling when I played. Great to see it back again! wooooo!

dub_skav

thebossanova wrote: »

I especially like the clips on the detaching of players from the back of the maul. There is a very fine line sometimes, and some ref's used to let a lot go, ie. not calling truck and trailer.

Like with the "impressive" mauling by the Springboks against the Lions.

Fair play to the 'boks they kept doing what they were let away with, but some of the mauls in the tests were laughable

Kalashnikov_Kid

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

FridaysWell

Kalashnikov_Kid wrote: »

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

You know hes kinda right. . . I play flanker and even though I love the maul, being able to collapse to was a real good rule IMHO. Meant you had to be better at actually forming one up and keeping it going. :rolleyes:

thebossanova

FridaysWell wrote: »

You know hes kinda right. . . I play flanker and even though I love the maul, being able to collapse to was a real good rule IMHO. Meant you had to be better at actually forming one up and keeping it going. :rolleyes:

This is true, but I think the main problem with this was injuries. Wasn't there a few bad ones in SA maybe. I'm not positive about that though. I think the reinstatement of the maul is a good thing. Being able to pull it down was a cop out in my opinion and the reffing of pulling it down safely was never enforced properly. Ref's didn't care how it went down as they didn't need to look at it anymore.

De Deraco

I agree that pulling the maul down was ok last year but the rules stated you had to pull it down from above the waist you couldnt trip it up which seemed to be the way most flankers took it down which was blantantlly illegal and dangerous.

Referees had awfull trouble deciding if a maul was taken down correctlly and only one referee actually enforced this properlly in the games I played last season.

Hurrah for the MAUL

Amabokke

First, there is a very fine line when it comes to truck and trailer. With a maul there has to be at least 3 players binding (from either sides). Sometimes the ball carrier is at the back (in front of scrumhalf) and only holding on with one hand on the person in front of him. I saw two of the same incidents during the summer and two different outcomes, one ref let it go and another called a penalty against.

Second, if this can eliminate the ping pong kicks to some extend then I'm up for it. Powerhouse teams with bigger and stronger players will be more effective.

[Jackass]

I think the Maul suits the Irish game...I think teams like Ireland, Munster and even Leinster in 07/08 used the maul superbly well, so from that perspective I think it's great.

Although I think teams like Munster and Ireland have expanded from the maul era, so don't expect to see the ye old 25 yard mauls as often any more, while it'll still be around, most Irish teams will look to threaten any opoistion out wide these days I reckon.

I hate the maul,what a load of ****e.

It means **** teams can just get big fowards and kick the corners,it promotes and extremely negative and boring way of playing. imo
I wouldnt hate it so much if it was reffed properly though,if it stalls or moves back you need to use it or lose it,this is never enforced properly.

chupacabra

Brayden Long Rust wrote: »

I hate the maul,what a load of ****e.

It means **** teams can just get big fowards and kick the corners,it promotes and extremely negative and boring way of playing. imo
I wouldnt hate it so much if it was reffed properly though,if it stalls or moves back you need to use it or lose it,this is never enforced properly.

I have to admit as a forward i was gutted with the rule change last time around, but i really warmed to it over the season. Allowing it to be pulled down changes the dynamics of the whole thing from both an offensive and defensive perspective. It became much more technical and a lot more fun and rewarding to organize and utilize. Its a pity they didnt give the rule room to breathe as i was becoming a supporter.