Andrew Slack: Intriguing start for World Series Rugby

IT’S been a week in rugby where knowing which way to look has been the biggest challenge. America is apparently the code’s El Dorado in SANZAAR’s strategic plans beyond 2020.

Western Force players congratulate Brynard Stander after he scored against the Fiji Warriors during the inaugural World Series Rugby match on Friday night.

IT’S been a week in rugby where knowing which way to look has been the biggest challenge.

America is apparently the code’s El Dorado in SANZAAR’s strategic plans beyond 2020.

More expansion when the past 12 months has been about shrinkage? The inclusion of Japanese and Argentinian teams hasn’t been a run away bestseller but perhaps we Australians should hold fire on the South Americans?

What we’d give for four consecutive victories away from home, including back-to-back wins in New Zealand? When the Jaguares knocked off the Chiefs on Friday night they had beaten more New Zealand teams in the space of six days, than any combination of Australian teams have in over two years.

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So while the Star Spangled Banner came into the picture and the Jaguares hinted they may eventually pay their way, the rather grand sounding World Series Rugby kicked off in Perth.

Witnessed by 19,466 fans at nib Stadium, the biggest rugby crowd of the season was on hand to watch a match in which even the most vigilant rugby follower would have struggled to name 25 per cent of the participants.

Western Force players congratulate Brynard Stander after he scored against the Fiji Warriors during the inaugural World Series Rugby match on Friday night.

Big names or not though, the Western Force and Fiji turned on an entertaining contest and if there was any doubt as to the loyalty of Force fans, it was dispelled on Friday night.

Admittedly, when a billionaire throws a party and you’re all invited, there’s going to be more than a couple of hangers-on, but you get the sense these folk from the west are an ornery bunch.

Not only will they not go down without a fight, they probably won’t go down at all.

It’s certainly a case of no benefactor, no benefits, but with Andrew Forrest completely true to his word after all of last season’s conflict, the ball is rolling.

Ian Prior of the Western Force passes the ball during their World Series Rugby match against the Fiji Warriors on Friday night.

It’s a long bow to make comparisons with another bloke with a few bob and a similarly named cricket competition back in 1977, but World Series Rugby is up and running and that’s more than a lot of sceptics thought would be the case.

Would both Fox and Channel 7 be providing live coverage if an also-ran was behind it? The seven matches to be played this year are nothing more than “friendlies” but it is clear Forrest wants to make waves as well as friends.

Whether the emotion and support attached to the first game is maintained over the next two months will be interesting to observe but when most things to do with rugby in Australia are being criticised both from outside and within, a little light is encouraging to see, regardless of how long the tunnel might be.

Andrew Forrest addresses the Western Force players after their win over the Fiji Warriors.

As they can, and as they should, World Series Rugby is fiddling with the laws. Extra points for long range tries is one. It’s worth trying even though I actually believe the current points scoring system is fine.

The one-minute time limit they are putting on scrums makes sense and would surely be applauded by most.

Rodney Iona of the Force looks to break from Cyril Reece of the Warriors on Friday night.

I’m not aware whether they are doing anything about the deliberate knock-on law but if they aren’t, they should.

In the Rebels-Crusaders Super Rugby match, the Rebels’ Reece Hodge and Crusaders’ Matt Todd each spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for trying to capitalise on rubbish passes from the attacking team.

People hate watching 15 play 14 but they hate this rule more.

I’ve asked several refereeing authorities to explain the logic to me. They have not been able to. Can anybody enlighten me?

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Originally published as Andrew Slack: Intriguing start for World Series Rugby