just as we imagined.
Stuart blasts new rule
By Peter Frilingos
March 4, 2004
ROOSTERS coach Ricky Stuart has accused the NRL of paranoia over the introduction of measures to ensure gang tackles don't slow down the play-the-ball this season.
Stuart says the rule amendment is directly aimed at curbing his club's defensive style.
The NRL has instructed referees to crack down on tacklers "dancing" with ball carriers by holding them up while waiting for another tackler to put him to ground.
NRL referees boss Robert Finch says the ploy is a standing "flop" designed to delay the play-the-ball.
Two years ago Stuart's up-and-in defence featuring fierce gang-tackling helped take the Roosters all the way to grand final victory over the New Zealand Warriors and runner-up status last year.
While many clubs followed Stuart's defensive lead last season there have been detractors keen to bring the Roosters back to the field.
At least that's what Stuart believes has happened.
"The game is too fast these days for the defence to try and hold attacking players up waiting for another tackler to arrive to complete the tackle," Stuart said.
"Even in the old rules that sort of thing was deemed to be a flop tackle.
"I think the NRL is going overboard regarding the holding-up rule.
"This move is a direct result of the Roosters' success in defence over the past couple of years.
"We are now becoming too paranoid in the game about such issues.
"We're in a position where we're trying to take grey areas out of the game for referees when it's unnecessary."
The coach said his team would be unaffected by the amendment to the rules and he would not be changing its defensive style.
"We will continue to play by the rules," Stuart said. "When the attacker is still moving you're allowed seven players in to the tackle if you like."
Stuart indicated that if that many tacklers arrived at the same time there was no way his side could be penalised for allegedly slowing down the play-the-ball.
The shortening of the 10-metre rule to an average of eight metres has also been a contributing factor leading to slower play-the-balls.
Defensive players have that split-second more to get into the faces of attacking players in numbers and when they perform dominant tackles they are allowed more time to get off tackled players.
NRL referees boss Robert Finch gave an assurance this week that despite the crackdown on "dancing" tackles, dominant tacklers would continue to be rewarded with extra time to get off grounded opponents.
Ever since Stuart's players set new standards in defence the ruck area has been under intense scrutiny by rival coaches and the NRL.
In fact the old sliding defence has taken a back seat to the new wave.
That development is the latest stage of the push to get the game closer to its gladiatorial roots.
But having said that the NRL has obviously taken steps to ensure the game does not go back to the ultra-defensive style of the mid-1980s.
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There is an old yard comment being either "suffer in your jocks" or
"eat sh#t and die" - either way ricky, freddy and new recruit, harrigan - "jam it sideways"
