Handre Pollard: World Rugby law changes add competitive edge to aerial battles

In May of last year, the World Rugby Council agreed to law changes around the requirements of players in an offside position when a kick was made.

Previously, during a kicking battle with opponents, the kicking team - providing they are more than 10 metres away from the ball alighting - could be put onside by the actions of the catcher who runs five metres, passes or kicks.

This created freedom for players to loiter in the middle of the park and wait for the kicking battle to conclude, and became known as the Dupont Law due to France's exploitation of the loophole.

The law update closed the loophole, adding that teams can be penalised for a player 'loitering in an offside position' and that an offside player may be penalised if that player 'does not make an effort to retreat'.

Additionally, another law amendment has clamped down on 'escorts', which effectively allowed them to form a protective barrier around a catcher following a box-kick or 'up and under', provided the players moved towards the ball and didn't change their line.

Last November, World Rugby added an amendment to allow for more of a contest by stating that the teams must 'allow access' for the chasers.

The changes in the laws around the kicking battles were plainly evident in Cape Town when the Springboks and Wallabies faced off, with Cheslin Kolbe thriving in the air despite his diminutive frame.

Pollard was asked about that facet of the game in the aftermath of the Springboks' victory and stated that the law tweaks undoubtedly played a factor.

"It was a great battle within the game; both teams were very, very good. Our boys got in there as much as they possibly could," he said.

"The thing is, you're not always going to win it back, and Australia were very good on that transition, coming down and keeping it alive, and they got some electric wings, which you could see tonight.

"So it was a great battle within the battle. It was a combination of tactics and conditions which forced us, maybe, into it a little bit more tonight. We knew what we had to do, but listen, it's a great battle.

"It's an area in rugby that's getting much more competitive with all the new laws. So it's pretty tough on a guy receiving a high ball. Our wings are unbelievable, getting in there, they're so brave. We'll always keep that as one of our strengths in our game, hopefully."

While the Springboks impressed in this department in round two of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks struggled as Argentina got the upper hand in the aerial battle.

Legendary lock Victor Matfield believes that this is a massive work-on for the All Blacks ahead of the highly anticipated clash at Eden Park.

"If there is one area New Zealand needs to sort out, it is the high ball. These days, we all talk about attack, all talk about linespeed, but that aerial battle is so big in the modern day, especially now that you can't block it," Matfield said on the Rivals podcast.

"It was not just the aerial battle, but all the scraps also went to Argentina, and they got energy from that. The moment they started getting those loose balls and it is a little bit quick, then their footwork comes into play, those guys run onto the ball, and they get momentumâ¦

"New Zealand needs to sort out that because that is something that also takes energy away, forwards needing to run back and having to work harder to get into line and get the ball back."

READ MORE: Wallabies dealt blow with star forward Will Skelton set to leave Rugby Championship squad