Bomb Squad: In favor and against, the opinion of the world of rugby

The impact it generated South Africa in the 2023 World Cup implementing the famous “Bomb Squad” With a bank composed of 6 Forwards and 2 backs surprised everyone, and it seems that the trend not only continues, but increases with some equipment that already uses a 7-1, as happened with France In the latter Six nationsin which he ended up raising the title. Given this new scenario, several of the oval world referents gave their opinion. The last to pronounce was Scott Robertson, Head Coach of New Zealand, and in Scrum we review the different opinions over the last months.

However, everything has a beginning, and it was Rassie Erasumusthe “father of the creature”, who explained how this idea arose: “I always frustrated me when I sat with a substitute back and was missing five minutes to the end and I didn’t have a game time. It’s a waste waste, waiting for an injury. I thought, sometimes we played with a yellow card for 10 minutes and sometimes with two yellow cards in a game and survives. I started counting the number of games that we played and I never used the last replace. In addition, he said that while all his staff did not agree, it was a calculated risk that they decided to face.

Another that used this variable during the beginning of the year was Fabien galléalthough with 7 Forwards in the bank. “It is a decision shared with the coaching staff and the players. Of course there is a risk. There are reasons: a bench focused on winning. We have almost two groups of strikers. It is a tactical decision, first of all. Having only three quarters in banking is a risk. But we have strikers who can play three quarters “said the French coach who comes from being champion of the top European tournament.

The physical difference produced by the entrance of so many strikers aroused the alarms of World Rugbyand his then mandamás, Sir Bill Beaumontsomewhat disappointment was some months ago: “We allowed too many substitutes. In previous years, the game always opened in the last 20 minutes and is where it was defined. The ‘Bomb Squad’ is very effective in what makes and is very successful. I will not criticize it at all because it adapts to its game, but maybe they could run a little more”.

The regulation is clear, and allows this situation. On that path it goes Scott Robertsoncoach of the All Blacks: “It is in the rules. The first thing to be clear about is: ‘Is it okay?’ Well, it’s fine because it is in the rules, so you can do it..

The Argentine Head Coach, Felipe Contepomialso gave his opinion at a press conference for 2024 and highlighted the South African team: “It has a group of very quality trainers who are very convinced in what they do or try to be. It is a team that for several years always evolves, and they bring something new. It is strategic to play 6-2 or 5-3, both have their pros and cons, this is how we see it. We evaluate to see how we benefit in the different games, sometimes, even with the same rival”.

For its part, from Scotland The greatest criticisms arise. Gregor Towsendcurrent commander of The thistleit was strict: “If you understand me, I do not think the bank has configured so that suddenly between a new group of strikers. But that corresponds to World Rugby to decide what to do with the bank and make any change”. In addition, the former selected coach, Matt Williams He joined expressing that “It should only be used in case of injury, as used before”.

The debate is open Is Bomb Squad to stay or World Rugby will change the rules?