I think what is making the game look like Union is how dominant the defense is over the attack. There just does not look like there is any space anywhere to make line breaks (which are what makes the game watchable).
On top of that and because coaches know that they are taking a lot more shots at goals from penalties which is also like Union.
We have to find a way of creating more space on the field.
Get 'em onside and there will be more 'open' play.
That's the entire reason teams are offside - so their defense can dominate.
Yes. Much of today's style stems from the introduction of the 10m and the the changes that came about because of it. It's part of the reason we got the interchange and why we got wrestling, much of slowing down the play can be attributed to the "new" defensive tactics (slowing play is not new, but is now pretty much non stop, rather than sporadic) and persistent offside defence. It's an accumulation of things that have brought it to where it is now. The penalty crackdown is a good thing. Line breaks used to come largely from tackle breaks or missed tackles, when the emphasis was on individual defence ability. One on one defence was a necessity, when there was NO interchange. You could "gang tackle" and "wrestle", but good luck trying to keep it up for a full game (particularly for forwards). It was a risky tactic, in regards to team energy management.
Allow more leeway/time for solo tackles... get rid of the interchange... police the 10m strictly. The game should open up again. It may not cure it, but it will help, at least.
