Rugby was at it's best, rule wise, back in 95 at the WC. I say roll back the rules to then and drop all the 7's hype at games.Entertaining people shouldn't be about what is NOT happening on the field. I go to a game to watch rugby, not listen to blaring music and endless drivel.

@Andy 50 and Shaun 38 soccer is the most poular sport in the world because it is the easiest to play, not because it is the best. all you need is a flat piece of dirt and a ball... it is a sport for the masses because it takes no skill whatsoever to play it

I think breakdown/scrum penalties should be turned into a hybrid of free kicks/penalties where a team can kick it out on the full and get the lineout throw. It would promote at least an effort to get over the line and restrict normal penalties to that of deliberate/foul/dangerous play.

Bring back liberal rucking! There is no ball cleaner or better than rucked ball. It will stop players lying on the wrong side of the ruck and promote quicker ball.

I applaud Henry and co. for wanting to play and expansive, entertaining style of rugby as we have the players to do this. The rules however are the main enemy to this. If SA and the northern hemisphere teams play a style of game that best fit the rules who can blame them.

The rules need to promote open, running, quick and skillful rugby

Yeah I agree with most people commenting on this article. The state of rugby has declined somewhat. There has been too much tampering with the rules with the ELVs. For a long while now, defence has dominated the game over attack. The Springboks introduced the "rush defence" in 2004, and since then many teams have adopted it.

The one problem with the ELVs was there was one particular rule when a ball became unplayable in a ruck, the team that had the ball would get a free kick instead of a scrum, which meant players became more timid to take the ball into contact, and instead opted to kick the ball away.

I think the IRB needs to do something to give the players more confidence to take the ball into contact without the fear of losing possession frequently. There is too much nonsense going on in the breakdown with illegal tactics etc., which is making kicking a more attractive option to get field position.

Rugby is a SPORT!! that two teams play to win, its not a concert you go to, to be entertained. Kicking is part of the game and a true rugby fan is entertained by the big hits from the fowards and midfield backs or the tactical play of the first five and fullbacks.

Let there be once again rucking!!!Would solve a lot of the player lays over the ball, kills play, results in a penalty boredom.

Why is it that the most exciting games in the world are the Heineken Cup final and the decider of the 6 nations? It has nothing to do with the laws. It's all about the intensity of the occasion and the support of the fans.

Cantabrians in particular are jaded with top level rugby and they sit in silence at a demolished AMI Stadium watching decent, but unspectacular, rugby week in week out. In Europe, stadiums twice the size are packed with passionate, vocal fans. the intensity of the rivalries ensure that every contest is do or die and fascinating.

This is why the All Whites win was so monumental. A team of unfancied players received the full support of the nation and fed off the intensity of the crowd.

Take note AB fans, you're the problem.

Rugby is way over hyped in NZ anyway. Since they went professional its all about the dollar. The NRL puts it to shame for skill and action. You have to be an absolute die hard to derive any enjoyment out of rugby these days. Fat guys falling on top of each other, others bludgeing a rest at the back of a ruck etc. Honestly most of the forwards look as tho they have been dragged out of a weight watchers meeting. They don't run - most of them waddle. Contrast them to the likes of Fui Fui Moi Moi etc. Rugby a stratgist's game? Might be if you , me ,the players and the ref could ever figure out the rules! Most really good games and sports have a simple set of rules.

Whenever there is something wrong with the game of rugby internationally there's usually a chorus of "it's all the IRB's fault/blame everything on the Northern Hemisphere/it's an NH conspiracy against the SH teams, etc." But all the Southern Hemisphere nations are represented on the IRB Council, just like the Northern Hemisphere nations. Do they bear no responsibility for the decisions made by the Council?

1. If the all whites can make the world cup as consistantly as the AB's then football might stand a chance, but otherwise Rugby is still tops. The game was a thriller because of what was at stake.

2. People claim the 2007 WC semi's were a kick-fest. Perhaps watch the boks v pumas game again? Sadly England showed us how an inferior team can still win. Which has become the predominant model for success these days. Bringing back rucking would go a long way to sorting the game out.

3. Incredible that people can still bag Rugby/ the AB's after the WON over the weekend. There is just no pleasing some people.

4. It is possible for one person to support Rugby, League, Football & any other sport. I feel sorry for those simple few who can't fathom that.