The Wrestle

[manlyfan76]

as an old man boomer I resent that remark ...

(in old man boomer voice)

 

[Loobs]

Wouldn't the best way to slow down the ruck be to reward the old fashioned legs tackle?
Let the ref give one-on-one leg tackles a lot more time to let go and resume their feet before the play-the-ball.
That way we'll reduce the wrestle and also see wonderful tackles which, sadly, are a rarity these days.

Leg tackles as nice as they are to see, are probably the least effective tackles to make. As soon as the tackler releases the tackled can get straight up play the ball and the tackler is still usually on the ground, rarely marking. That's the whole point behind the wrestle - to flip that and give the advantage to the defence. Perfect wrestle is two men in, control/wrap up the ball carrier and get them on their back facing the wrong way (AKA the Aaron Woods). Then the second guy is up, pulls up the first all while the ball carrier has to roll over, turn around and get up (plenty of time for a fit defence to reset). Naturally this wasn't enough for coaches so it was taken to the extreme and you get what we have.