Wilkins would support countdown clock in rugby

2022-11-30 20:50:46 By : Ms. Vivian Wang

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins would welcome the introduction of a countdown clock to help speed up matches.

World Rugby is considering introducing a timer on scrums, lineouts and kicks at goal, according to the BBC. Desk Clocks

Wilkins would support countdown clock in rugby

Matches this season have been dogged by lengthy delays, with Connacht's game against the Bulls in September taking over two hours to complete.

"There's real positivity in that," replied Wilkins when asked about the possibility of a countdown clock.

"Anything that speeds the game up for spectators, but also brings tempo into the play is going to bring excitement and more opportunities for the players. I fully support anything that speeds the game up.

"The key thing with any of these changes is to make sure there’s the resources and consistency in how they’re delivered, whether that’s having shot clocks on the pitch or the required match officials to monitor that. It’s got to be consistent and available.

"If that happens then all the better for the game."

"We always associated Connacht as being this free-playing, free-spirited attacking side, and it has changed." Murray Kinsella analyses Connacht's struggles in attack against Munster. #RTERugby #AgainstTheHead pic.twitter.com/fUtszpWxN5

The tempo to Saturday’s derby between Munster and Connacht was disrupted by the time it took to set scrums, as well as the mandatory drinks breaks. It leads to frustration among supporters, players and also coaches.

"The scrum has been a hot topic for many seasons in terms of how long that takes," said Wilkins.

"It’s that catch 22, if they want to get scrums functioning and not collapsing all the time, they’re taking longer to make sure all the bits are in the right places for that to happen. I sympathise with that, although it’s not where it needs to be.

"The hard thing is probably around the scheduled water breaks. I fully understand the intent to keep runners off the field as much as possible, interfering with play and slowing the game down, but quite often around that 20-minute break when we have a drinks break, it’s just as a team is either generating some momentum or wanting to respond to some momentum from the opposition.

"Certainly as a coach that can be frustrating. I don’t know what the perfect solution is but hopefully we’ll move in the right direction."

Connacht fell to their fifth defeat of the season at Thomond Park, leaving them in 13th place in the BKT United Rugby Championship and already in must-win territory when Benetton visit the Sportsground on Saturday.

Connacht’s points tally of 134 is the lowest in the URC and Wilkins said it is vital they develop a more ruthless edge in attack.

"We’re tough to beat in terms of the resistance we put up to opposition, our set-piece is functioning well and we’re creating opportunities, but we’ve got to be more accurate and more effective in finishing off those opportunities and turning them into points," he said.

"Whether that’s close to the line, a backs strike play or a maul attack, all of those things are opportunities for us to score. We’ve got to score points."

Watch Connacht v Benetton live on RTÉ1 and RTÉ Player from 2.45pm on Saturday

Wilkins would support countdown clock in rugby

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