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'I don't think there's anything wrong with the game!' | ANDY DUNNE

Rugby does not have an issue with style, and there is 'nothing wrong' with multiple teams having different tactics, according to Andy Dunne.



Rugby does not have an issue with style, and there is 'nothing wrong' with multiple teams having different tactics, according to former Leinster outhalf Andy Dunne.

The Springboks won their fourth World Cup after beating New Zealand on Saturday by a single point. It was a win that highlighted the clash in styles between the two big rivals.

While the All Blacks scored an unconverted try, South Africa's points all came from the boot of Handre Pollard. Additionally, the world champions played much less ball-in-hand rugby, not just in the final, but throughout the entire World Cup cycle.

The manner in which South Africa won the World Cup this year, sometimes making use of the controversial 7-1 bench split, and their infamous 'Bomb Squad', have caused many to suggest that World Rugby needs to step in and change the rules to make rugby more entertaining.

However, speaking on Wednesday Night Rugby, Andy Dunne stressed that there is nothing wrong with rugby, or the way the Springboks play.

"No, I don't think there's anything wrong with the game!" Dunne insisted. "I don't think there's some deep introspection required because South Africa had physical tactics. It's up to teams to try and solve that, and that's what adds depth to the sport."

'Nothing wrong' with different rugby tactics

Dunne would not accept that the Springboks' 'boring' style of play will be dominant after their win, as the World Cup proved that it is easily beatable by attacking rugby given fine margins.

"You say it's very difficult to solve, but again, we go back to Ronan Kelleher maybe doesn't break off a split second too early... crazy fine margins," Dunne said.

"You're talking millimetres. It's not like it's unstoppable, you'll see cracks in it all the time. To me, that adds a depth to the sport.

"If everyone was playing razzmatazz rugby all the time [it would not be as good]."

"I'm glad there's a Springboks, it's good for the game to have that variety," the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley interjected. "It's like when Wimbledon were in their pomp and great passing sides were in their pomp.

"Any team sport where it's played the same way, it's boring."

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