Rugby is in danger of muscling out the flair and skills that have made it such a great game, according to Hugo Porta. Reuters talk to Argentina's leading points scorer and former captain.
"We can't stop the evolution of the game, but we should at least try to preserve the essence of rugby. Nowadays it's a war of muscles. What is this?," he said ruefully, an imaginary ball tucked under his arm as he imitated the barging tactics of the modern game. I saw more blood and injured players during the World Cup than ever before."
"...Porta's passion for the game is such that he laments the hulking physical stature of the modern player. "Rugby's turning into a sport where the physical aspect prevails over talent," he said. "These days there's no room for talent. I lived another kind of rugby.
"In Argentina we have always had an affinity with the French, they produce players with flair like we have done. Nowadays, take [France centre] Aurelien Rougerie for example, put a black top on him then put him on the pitch and he would think he's an All Black."
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