Editorial: Nice try, Wales, but let's make it seven

Jared Payne of Ireland is tackled by Taulupe Faletau of Wales. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Changing rugby’s points system hasn’t really worked so far, so perhaps Hansen’s idea should be the next step.

A strong whiff of deja vu accompanies Welsh rugby's plan to test what happens when tries are worth six points and penalties and drop-goals only two in its Principality Premiership competition.

It hopes this will inspire a more open and attacking game, with fewer penalty attempts.

But that was also the goal when the value of a try was increased from three to four points in 1973, then to five points in 1992.

Nothing much changed, and there have been only six tries in the past five World Cup finals.

That is not to criticise Wales' initiative. It has recognised that rugby, especially its showcase games, should be an entertaining spectacle, not a turgid affair that repels casual viewers.

But the outcome of previous increases in the value of a try suggests this is no straightforward matter. And devaluing penalties has proved a double-edged sword.

It makes it far less harmful to concede them, particularly on defence, a factor the Welsh address by making a penalty try worth an automatic eight points. That seems unlikely to prove a sufficient deterrent.

Understandably enough, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen favours the plan. In theory, it will encourage the type of game his side wants to play. To that end, he would make a try worth seven points.

Perhaps that is what it will take. There must be a tipping point when the value of a try will be sufficient to prompt a wholesale change of tactics.

Wales should be commended for at least trying to find it.