Ewen McKenzie asks SANZAR to look into 23-man squads: Rugby news
Ewen McKenzie, the former Australian prop and current Reds coach, has shown his interest in bringing in a new high quality prop as a substitute. He believes that South African New Zealand and Australian Rugby Union (SANZAR) should adopt the same pattern as European rugby unions do.
McKenzie’s suggestion means that the inclusion of an additional prop should be allowed in order to safeguard against games going to unchallenged scrums due to injuries in the front. This issue has come to the limelight recently, when NSW Waratahs lost their props Paddy Ryan and Benn Robinson due to neck and ankle injuries in a clash against the Bulls, which they lost. NSW Waratahs were forced to go in to the match without an extra prop and with a depleted squad. This has brought about controversy over the current standards.
Initially a few analysts had a suspicions about the intent of the Waratahs and thought that they might have employed a strategy by not bringing in the energised scrums in Pretoria alongside the strong forward block. This all was cleared later after the loss. McKenzie felt strongly about having the same European model applied in the Southern Hemisphere. This model is majorly followed in French club rugby and according to McKenzie, by applying this strategy and allowing one more substitute at the bench will increase the relief and playing options for the clubs.
He said, “I enjoyed coaching in France where they have 23-man squads with an extra prop. They had a lot of uncontested scrum situations happening and then they changed it and it tidied it up very quickly.”
He explained that it is one of the models that have been effective in Northern Hemisphere’s rugby and he expects SANZAR to look into things in a similar manner. There is generally no wrong in doing so and it would only benefit the clubs to add an extra prop and making their squad from 22 to 23 players strong. This would improve the game style, as the front rowers would be under less pressure with extra props available.
He said, “It was a great tool to be able to expose and develop, particularly young props, as you can have that 23rd player as a young prop and you can be introducing them into the game so they get experience, otherwise they go in cold at some point.”
From a coach’s perspective, having an extra prop would increase the playing options, as he could be handy for not only a prop but could replace any tight head or specialist loose head in case of injuries or as a strategy. SANZAR will be looking into the suggestion seriously as it might open new doors for Super Rugby game play and approach.
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