Six Nations keeps pace with Super Rugby style, top ref says

Bundee Aki in action for Ireland.
Photo: PhotoSport / Blake Armstrong

Opinion – The Six Nations finished up with Irish eyes smiling and a French performance in England the likes of which has not been seen since 1066, and a serious underlining of the threats they pose.

Meanwhile, despite a dud round of games last weekend, Super Rugby Pacific has enjoyed a hectic start to the season. So hectic, the average points scored per match is 61 – the highest in the 27-year history of Super Rugby.

It’s pretty difficult to compare the two competitions but given the implications from both for the Rugby World Cup later in the year, it’s important to at least try.

A good place to start is the one set of people involved in both, in fact they’ve had the best view of anyone as to the pace of the games and the way teams are playing.

Several New Zealand referees travelled north to officiate at the Six Nations, then returned home to carry out their Super Rugby duties, with Ben O’Keeffe in charge of the memorable French beatdown of England at Twickenham.

“I believe the Six Nations, with the atmosphere they have, and the way the games are now, is pretty epic,” the 34-year-old whistleblower says.

“It was exciting. France obviously showed why they’re contenders for the World Cup, then being involved in the Ireland-England game showed they’re [Ireland] the team to beat as well.”

While France didn’t really have to prove to anyone that they’re a massive chance to win the World Cup for the first time, having won 16 out of their last 17 tests, the way they went about dismembering England made O’Keeffe compare it to the pace of a top Super Rugby derby.

“The Crusaders v Blues game, which was on the same weekend actually, was a pretty good comparison. It was a similar speed, but at a test match intensity and a higher level of tackle accuracy.

“I was really impressed, the Six Nations has gone from low scoring, set piece dominated games to now adding in aspects of what we know as a Super Rugby style. The speed of the game up north is increasing a lot.

“Each team is trying to play their own ID as well as they can. France just got it really right in that game, then England had a really positive performance against Ireland in the first half – so that’s a change within one week.”

French players tackle England’s Henry Slade, during the Six Nations match at Twickenham.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

O’Keeffe didn’t have long to dwell on his Six Nations experience, as he was back out on Eden Park only a couple of days after returning, to take charge of a Super Rugby game that required a different set of rules.

The introduction of the off-field yellow card review process, more efficient referee-player interactions, and faster resumption of play following the scoring of tries have all played their part in the increase in scoring, plus hurrying up lineouts has resulted in a more contestable set piece.

“It’s a huge change,” says O’Keeffe.

Ben O’Keeffe
Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 © Palerimages.com

“I feel for the players, they’re running to lineouts and scrums and they’re absolutely stuffed. The fatigue of the players, especially in the second halves, is leading to a few more holes for players to run into.

“I know the people up in the north are looking at what’s happening down here and they’re taking notice. I think the speed of the game will play a big part at the World Cup, to run teams off their feet.”

The pace effect does go both ways though, as the refs must keep up with all of this and ensure they’re making the right calls.

“We’re probably the fittest refs in the world. It goes to show that we’re in good nick and can be making the decisions in the last five minutes of games.

“It’s been pretty warm, especially when we were in Melbourne [for the Super Round], but as it cools down it’ll make it easier. The game is quicker, but overall, I think we’re managing well.”

O’Keeffe says that, from his experience being as close to the action as possible, it’s not so much a question of whether northern or southern hemisphere play is going to win the World Cup, because “they’re moulding into something very similar.”

“The speed of their back play, the structure of their forwards, the abilities to score in close and out on the wing – all the teams are doing that well now. I think the team that does it better is going to win it.”