The quality of the rugby is improved about 300% by having the legendary Bill McLaren commentating. Happy memories, and no 5 minute hiatuses at scrums to go through ridiculous phases.
@@davidw.robertson448 And professionalism has made rugby in modern times a game of huge thugs running into each other, some version of rugby league. Notice how there are so many normal sized human beings on the pitch in this video, some few very big, some over 6 feet, many under, playing in the back line. Few if any 6'3" wingers or centers. They'd have been second rows or flankers in that time. No one in the back line weighing over 200 pounds, 14+ stone. Many 11 or 12 stone.
Real nostalgia..Thanks for posting. Wis at quite few of these games.. The collection didnae need the 70s pop music though.. Bill Mclaren's commentary is music enough for any Scottish fans ears!
I think rugby has become more like American football, much more structured, rule bound and dependent on the set pieces. Whether this is an improvement is a matter of debate. The game in the past may have been more free flowing and unpredictable but, in my opinion. it was also more exciting. The referee and match officials didn't play such a central role so that may account for the change that has taken place. In all it is now a different game altogether.
Only won 40% of their matches. Only 2 away wins in the entire decade. Only teams that showed real ability were the All blacks & Wales. Some talented players & that was it. Really great to hear Bill McLaren's commentary. He was simply the Best!
In Wales and New Zealand rugby is THE national sport with a deep support and training system from nursery school onwards and a comprehensive club structure. The same is not true for the other nations. In Australia I believe it is the fifth most important sport. Talented athletes are therefore attracted in other directions.
@@davidw.robertson448 In Ireland it's only the 4th most popular game. In RSA it's the 3rd. We've treated it as a Social Game. Recommend a book by Peter BILLS "The Jersey". It's about the game down in NZ. We've gone backwards. Schools don't do Physical Fitness, neither really do the clubs. Far too late to start when a lad gets to 21. I recall when the game went Pro & the Borders Region side was in playing. Their style was sterile & the Region didn't support them. More interested their clubs. Thought they'd like to see teams with the top players in the British Isles visiting. Borders used to supply 2/3rds of the National side on a regular basis. The game is finished here, like soccer.
So true! Where is the independent, free roaming spirit of the modern half-backs compared to the guys of yester year, a Gareth Edwards, a Tony Ward, a Jim Reniwick?
Professional rugby happened. Scotland hasn't put as much money into it as other countries have since the game became open, instead choosing to focus on football. They suck at football too, so that shows how good Scotland are with their decision making.
I suppose that's one word for it. it was more exciting however, less stop and start. Modern rugby is more constipated, suffocated by too many rules. Many have grown up with it so they accept that's the way it should be. They enjoy the cerebral aspect I suppose, like more statistics. It is becoming more like American football. For some that is an improvement for others it isn't.
But exciting, not predictable like modern professional stuff. And quick scums... no wonder current players look super fit - the backs spend half the game watching scrum resets!
