Thank goodness the games have begun bloodgate behind us game of rugby can continue. Most exciting for the game is the return of the maul. Last season the maul was taken out of rugby union. This is the equivalent of taking the corner kick out of football or the volley out of tennis.
Why was the maul taken out of rugby union. It was simply the political situation in world rugby. Australia is a sports mad nation and very competitive for viewing figures. The Australian Rugby Union then complains to the international rugby Union that the maul is too slow, viewers stop watching. The Australian position is understandable within Australia many sports compete for viewers and advertising revenue. Apart from rugby union, rugby league is popular especially on the East coast. The native sport of Aussie rules dominates the south and west coast and the young upstart of soccer is extremely popular amongst the various immigrant communities.
Despite the Australian position it was a case of the tail wagging the dog. The maul is fundamental to the game of rugby as rugby is a game for all. The maul allows the short barrel chested strong man to survive and thrive. Without the maul rugby union was in danger of becoming a game of clones. Even more dangerously the idea of getting rid of the scrum was being discussed. Again the speeding up of the game was being cited as the reason.
Luckily rugby has found common sense and has accepted the maul as being part of the game. Some people would say that will slow the spread of the game. This could not be more wrong. Rugby 7's has made the Olympics this will do more for the spread of the game then any rule changes. So welcoming back the maul we have missed you.
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