Truck and trailer?

Question

Watching the Argentina/SA game - during some of the mauls SA players were backing off at the maul, making the Argentinian ball-holder and the man in front of him offside. (Truck and trailer) England used to have a good rolling maul, so how come this tactic of backing-off has not been used more to good effect? To me it's similar to the old 'offside trap' in football where all the defenders move right upfield, forcing the opponents into offside positions. Also, the old Welsh scrum-half Robert Jones used to throw dummies at the scrum to fool the opposing scrum-half into an offside position - I think this tactic was banned in the end as it was preventing quick ball from the scrums.

Will the backing-off at mauls be banned? Should it, as it's causing stoppage of a set-piece play?

Answer 1

Maybe.

Answer 2

It is a great tactic...but i think the IRB are planning on controversally implementing a law where teams can pull down the maul, in the future..

Answer 3

Backing off at mauls is not as easy as it seems and certainley is not a set piece move. If the mauling side stop or run out of steam and the oppo are able to disconnect then it is a fair obstruction rule. Try it yourself, its very hard to do.

Mauls are for when you are in or close to the opponents 22, not for midfield play.

Answer 4

their fall will come from this one

Answer 5

it will continue