Small: Varsity Cup try rule is rubbish

Cape Town - Former Springbok wing James Small is no fan of the new try-scoring rules adopted in this year’s Varsity Cup.

During this year's tournament there are bonus points on offer depending on where try-scoring moves originate.

If a team scores a try from a movement that begins inside their opponents' 22m area, the try will be worth five points.

If a team scores from a move that starts between their opponents' 22m and the halfway line, then the scoring team will be awarded two bonus points - to make the try worth seven.

If the move starts in the attacking side's own half, then four bonus points will be allocated - to make the try worth nine points.

With the added conversion of two points, teams can now score as many as 11 points at a time.

After watching the opening round of Varsity Cup matches on Monday, Small was not impressed.

He tweeted the following:

11 point try.. What a lot of rubbish .. Spoiling a great tournament with gimmicks..#VarsityCup

— James Terence Small (@JamesTerenceSm1) February 8, 2016

Small, who was NWU-Pukke’s backline coach during last year’s Varsity Cup, played 47 Tests for the Springboks between 1992 and 1997. 

He was also a Rugby World Cup winner in 1995.