Most matches now we see players walk and crawl forward hoping it will remove the tacklers quicker.
The problems created from this are two fold; it virtually gives the markers no chance of getting square, removing their chance of a fair shot at the dummy half or first receiver. It also greatly reduces the 10m distance between the attacking and defendng teams – making the game more of a slugfest and less of a spectacle for viewers.
Years ago, any advancement off the mark would result in an instant penalty. Even some of the old chesnuts, such as: planting the ball before the player gets to his feet and falling over as the ball is played – regularly go unpunished at present.
I understand that the game needs to flow and too many penalties are frustrating – but the state of the ruck at the moment is a debacle and needs to be addressed.