On this day, 18 September 2023

By Old Kwin
September 17 2002

The long-running issue of player burnout was raised at this weeks RFU Conference in Hawaii. On Thursday delegates heard Harlequins Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ivor Badnock, making a passionate call for an easing of the immense burden placed on players by reducing the length of a game to 70 minutes.

In support of his proposal Dr Badnock cited the example of Quins' last game against St Helens Tykes, where 75 minutes into the game eight Quins players were so burned out, they failed to summon up enough energy to push.  "The isn't just physical either", he told the assembled group: "minute after minute of constant rugby over an entire Saturday afternoon can also wear the players out mentally: for instance at the very same game at least two players were so burned out they were unable to distinguish between a penalty and free-kick".

Dr Badnock called for the introduction of the so-called 'structured match' where each half of the game would be consist of 5 mins of warm up, followed by 15 minutes of non-contact touch rugby, and then ending with 20 minutes of full contact. This would enable the total time to be reduced to 35 minutes each half, avoiding the troublesome last five minutes and enabling Quins to concentrate throughout.

Put to the vote delegates agreed unanimously that it was top priority to take an urgent look ar measures to immediately reduce the burden on senior players.

NEW TOURNAMENTS

At this weeks RFU conference in Hawaii the RFU announced the introduction of four exciting new tournaments. These are

Virgin Championship: At the end of this season the winners of Pool A will play the winners of Pool B in a winner takes all confrontation for the title of 'Provisional Champions' The Provisional Champions will then proceed to and end-of-season spectacular at the RFU where they will play all the other teams in the Premiership, in alphabetical order, until one of them wins and emerges triumphant as Champion Club in England

Meanwhile teams finishing 3rd 4th and 5th in each pool will contest the Virgin Wildman. This is an exciting new tournament  based on the successful long-running TV series Wudja-Cudja? Each club nominates a single player to take part in a series of wild and hilarious challenges, with TV viewers voting out the weakest player after each round. The winning club gains a place in next seasons Super-20

The two clubs finishing bottom of their pools will again play-off for the Virgin Wooden Spoon. The losers, and Spoon holders will go on to defeat the Div1 champions in a one-sided play-off format designed to foster the illusion that promotion to the VP is in some way achievable.

To complete a sporting spectacular in May, the RFU announced the Virgin Grudge, which will be contested every season by Pool B's London Broncos against Pool A's AFC London-Broncos. This is not for any particular trophy, but for the general amusement of rugby fans everywhere.

CLUB ROUND UP: QUINS

The fallout from last weeks disastrous game continues at troubled Quins, with the attention now focusing on the clubs latest mascot: Harry Hornblower. Performing in only his first game at the club last week, Harry proved extraordinarily popular with home crowd, and used his impressive array of built-in horns to create an unparalleled level of excitement.

However on Tuesday an internal inquiry at the club (in response to an avalanche of complaints by a committee member and his wife) found that the level of partisan noise generated by use of the horns was unsporting and gave the home team an undue advantage. Accordingly, Harry - the clubs second mascot in as many weeks - has been told to pipe down and moderate his noise. He is said to be deeply unhappy at this, and rumour has it that the club is already looking for a replacement. amidst speculation that CEO Lord Evans of Jilling may be forced to step into the breach, putting away his pin-stripe suit for the second time in five years in favour of a giant foam rubber pantaloons.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

Harlequins v London Broncos. Stoop ko 3pm. Quins face an in-form Exiles side. Tickets Euro50  (Euro70 wigs).
Prediction: Broncos get a good bantering.