England Boss Fears New Directive Risks Rugby Turning Into Aussie Rules
England head coach Steve Borthwick has expressed concerns that a new law directive aimed at creating fairer contests for high balls could unintentionally turn rugby union into Australian rules football.
The rule change, which focuses on cracking down on ‘escort runners’—players who block those chasing kicks—has led Borthwick to recall full-back Freddie Steward for England’s upcoming match against world champions South Africa. Steward is known for his exceptional skill in the air, making him a key player under the new directive.
However, Borthwick believes the change has not achieved its intended effect of opening up the game. Instead, he says it has resulted in more scrums. “You don’t want to turn rugby union into Aussie rules,” he said, referring to the football code that heavily emphasizes kicking long distances.
“I thought our game was in pretty good shape. There has been a fundamental change here,” Borthwick added. He also criticized the timing of the directive, which was announced just before the November internationals, leaving little time for players to adjust. “At that point in time, no players had played with it and now we’re seeing it in high-level Tests,” he said.
Borthwick is concerned that the change could lead to more kicking and scrums, which may not be what fans want to see. “I don’t think anyone wants it to turn into Aussie rules,” he said.
South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus, commenting before Borthwick named his squad, had predicted Steward’s recall, noting that the 6ft 5in (1.95m) full-back would be “devastating” under the new rules due to his aerial ability. Borthwick agreed, acknowledging that Steward’s skill in the air would be a major asset in the contestable kicking game.
