To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve been playing, reffing, etc. since '92 and I cannot remember a time when this wasn’t the case. Also, I just checked with a friend who has been involved since around '88, his father since '67 and he cannot remember a time when not wrapping was allowed.
Also, if you want to see it enforced, watch some recent All Black matches when Jerry Collins was playing. I’ve seen it enforced against him SEVERAL times. I know, watching the AB’s may be anathema to most of you, but if you want to see some good rugby, who else are you going to watch?
That’s a good one! Personally, I’d rather see a team win one WC every 20 years and 75% of the rest of their matches than one WC and 50% of the rest of their matches.
Anyone got a clip of Mick Skinner aka “Mick the Munch” flattening Marc Cecillon at the 1991 World Cup between England and France. Youtube seems to have removed them all.
I love this one because LaRon Landry is supposed to be one of the hardest hitting safeties in the game and Brandon Jacobs just runs him over like he isn’t even there: