Given the likely weather at the World Cup, the intensity and nature of knock-out rugby and the inherent strengths of countries such as England, South Africa and Ireland, the rolling maul has potential to become the default option at attacking lineouts, turning games into a refereeing lottery.
"There is agreement that we have to do something about it," says All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who attended the recent World Rugby law review meeting. "There is a lack of clarity in the game and the fact there are definitions sent out every two months clarifying various things highlights that.
"What was clear from the recent law review meeting is that the likes of Joel Jutge [World Rugby referees high-performance manager] and John Jeffrey [World Rugby chairman of rugby committee] both have concerns about the rolling maul as well.
"The problem is acknowledged by those right at the top of the game and there is agreement we need greater clarity about what's legal and what isn't. Everyone is hoping we can get on top of this otherwise we'll see a lot of it at the World Cup and it's probably not going to be particularly exciting for fans as it's just not a fair contest."
Before last night's matches, 25 tries had been scored from rolling mauls. The Brumbies, who lead the competition with five tries directly from mauls, have used the tactic 75 times and made 214m.
The Bulls and Sharks have been similarly focused on the rolling maul - the former using it 73 times for 300m, the latter 72 times for 235m.
It is, however, the vast number of penalties conceded by the team defending the rolling maul that has caused test coaches the most concern. So far in Super Rugby, the rolling maul has won the attacking team 92 penalties while the defensive side has won just 11.
That imbalance sits badly with rugby's charter that there should be a fair and equitable contest for the ball.
The statistics also show New Zealand sides continue to shun the rolling maul - or certainly use it far less frequently than the South Africans and Australians.
Competition leaders the Hurricanes have completed only 21 rolling mauls. The Highlanders have used it only 20 times, the Crusaders 43, and the Blues and Chiefs 46.
The geographical divide is also reflected in the penalty count. The South African sides have collectively won 56 penalties from rolling mauls, the Australians 25 and the New Zealand sides just 11.
If these numbers are indicative of what may transpire at a World Cup, the All Blacks will need to be wary. It's a reasonable guess the likes of England and South Africa in particular will have it in mind to try to win kickable penalties from rolling mauls and possibly also yellow cards as a result of constant infringement.
"The [referee] judgments are pretty much always in favour of the attacking team," says Hansen. "I think if you look at the stats it's about 90 per cent of penalties against the defending team and to my mind, rolling mauls are legalised obstruction.
"We've got to get the balance sorted because rugby is all about having a fair contest for the ball and if we don't have that, we need to fix it."
