Matt Williams insists rugby's subs rule needs to change

🗣 "It is not safe!"
🗣 "It needs serious review."
🗣 "I have no criticism for South Africa or Rassie, because it's legal."
🗣 "The responsibility is on World Rugby."
Matt Williams speaks strongly on rugby's substitute laws after South Africa brought 6 forwards in one go against Ireland.
Check out this episode of the VMTV Rugby Pod in full:
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#Rugby #IrishRugby #Springboks #SixNations #SixNationsRugby #IrishRugby #Munster #MunsterRugby #LeinsterRugby #ConnachtRugby #UlsterRugby #EnglandRugby

[@libertyavalanche]

"South Africa took advantage of a loophole." WTF is the loophole? It's strategy (which carries significant risk to the team employing it), not tax evasion. This man is demented.

[@RozWentworth]

Why do you have the Springboks and South Africa so much...is it that they are brilliant strategist ? You are acting the fool again...idiot..VIVA AMABOKKE VIVA X 4 TIMES WORLD CHAMPS..VIVA the G.O.A.Ts

[@etienneholmes5556]

But I don't understand this Matt guys argument. Is only South Africa allowed to go with a 7 - 2 split on the bench??? Or are other countries not allowed to also select a 7 - 2 split. Additionally, there has never, in the history of the sport (rugby) been a larger viewer pool than the one we currently have. Funny, having the 7 - 2 split did more for the sport than your traditions and having benches full of backs for all those years....

[@James.Gnostic.Galahad]

This man is demented 😂😂😂😂

[@jcswan1868]

@@etienneholmes5556 It's a 6 - 2 split or 7 - 1 split and other countries can use it as well; they just don't have the forward depth for it to be effective.

[@leonardrhode7016]

Matt please stop crying it is becoming now seriously annoying, if other teams want to do the same, they can. We are playing to our strengths so can other teams as well if they want to. Someone please buy this baby a dummy to suck on to make him stop crying. I want to see what he says if Scotland or another team does it and wins a lot. And his vendetta towards Rassie is pure jealously. What is that old saying jealousy makes you nasty.😂😂😂

[@Mr-Litch]

If SA brings on 6 backs its discrimination against forwards 😂😂😂😂

[@mgibn07]

hahaha lol hilarious

[@leonardrhode7016]

Lmao hahaha that is just hilarious 😂 😂😂😂 someone please buy this guy a dummy so the baby can stop crying. Nothing is stopping other teams from doing the same tactics. I think there might be a jealousy factor from this guy.

[@Mr-Litch]

😂😂😂😂 this guy is a total nut job..

[@scottwarwick7514]

"It discriminates against backs" 😂😭🤣🤣

[@mgibn07]

I thought I misheard that. Is he for real?

[@malibongwelekae7110]

😂😂😂

[@Champ-vids]

Is this guy for real?

[@pietersock4078]

😂

[@velimasuku8808]

That is not what our game is designed for 😂😂😂

[@BruceMacgregorCampbell]

Scrumcaps. Get rid of them. Too many springboks with scrumcaps are scoring trys these days. Its unfair and discriminatory against all those players without scrumcaps. Come on, World Rugby! Its a safety issue . I knew a chap once who became a paraplegic playing for the Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskiedwordfontein 5th XV because he was stepped by a guy wearing a scrumcap. World Rugby simply have tpo step in. Enough is enough.

[@ReaperZA-mu2sn]

Such a valid point , couldn't agree more. #EnoughIsEnough

[@emitt777]

😂😂😂

[@gunner4life568]

Facts I couldn't agree more

[@adrenalinrush2709]

Oh my word I literally sat at my desk laughing out loud.

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@lwandamfenqe2056]

Rassie Erasmus's brilliance is going to affect this mans health

[@Tumi.Sejake]

😂😂😂

[@normantshokotshela5290]

🤣😅😂

[@teacheral5048]

Is Rassie... perhaps... IN HIS HEEAAAAAAD, IN HIS HEEEEAAAEEED! 😂

[@lindimazwi6335]

😅😅😂😂😂

[@leonardrhode7016]

😂😂😂😂😂 he looks like he is about to have a stroke sometimes 😂

[@zaeemdasoo8954]

“Back lives matter “😂😂😂😂

[@KingKhyron]

That one made me lol 😂

[@danmotha6351]

😂😂

[@brettsenekal9776]

😂😂😂

[@leonardrhode7016]

😂😂😂😂

[@Thoughtsbyme-ts4jz]

At the end of the day the sun will set, the sky will get dark and Matt Williams will still be a boks naysayer

[@hiltonbaron1588]

@@Thoughtsbyme-ts4jz I often wonder what Matt's problem is with the Springboks. We can't help the fact that Rassie is a genius.

[@AM-dj1wr]

​@@hiltonbaron1588Legend has it a South Afrian pumped his wife... Go figure... Probably a forward.

[@Jacques_van_Wyk]

Bring on your own 6 forward replacements.

[@Stooeybear13]

If Ireland did this and they won the match, i bet you Williams wouldnt have a problem with it.

[@cliffcarelse466]

All teams have 8 replacements. Why can't they decide when and how these replacements are used?

[@neilmontgomery3470]

Matt Williams loves baiting you South Africans. He is literally making money out of it. Stop responding to the clickbait.

[@mahlanguism]

I don’t think so. It’s his genuine opinion. He gives impassioned arguments- this is not for click bait.

[@jameswyatt4443]

This video has 4000 views. He’s making nothing off this

[@Alias-gy3tz]

The Irish are giving him the platform. Why?

[@siviwenjajula5844]

Its not bait.. Its genuine tears

[@avelampatane1987]

He is waste pundit

[@M0RR1S10]

He is talking absolute BS. If it really is about safety it would make more sense to have more forward replacements because they have more physical battles.

[@cornebester5177]

WTF is Matt Williams smoking! Living in the past... The game has evolved mate! Get onboard.

[@EugeneHuman-kl1vc]

I agree 100% , the way it is played.. the other rules that was amended in the last 15years. You cannot have Rugby thinking of 1980's. Sure safety is Number1 Priority. Hence other rules have been adjusted and players get Yellow or redcarded if they don't abide by the rules. Everyone must be as safe as you can be. This is however a contact sport, we not playing touch rugby here. Hence any player of 80 to 150kg on the field is gonna be a force to reckon with and play by the rules. Doesn't matter if they start or roll in from the bench. If your players are tired or have injury's they are allowed to sub their own teams players too. Nothing is stopping anyone from also changing players. Some might do it early in the 2nd half.. Some might do it in last 20min. It's all for the benefit of that specific teams tactics or how they play.

[@Jacques_van_Wyk]

Oh hell. Wait till SA start producing more and more wings like we do now and revert to a 1:7 bennch. He will probably cry then too

[@leonardrhode7016]

Or what if we get a wingers that is big,fast, and can play in the forward pack then we will cry again😂😂😂 ridiculous this guy.

[@tido10shots94]

No matter how many rules you change, we will always come out stronger🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@ryancheeseman4688]

The springboks team is the epitome of what All shapes and Sizes represents in rugby.

[@siphembambo6872]

Ireland used 6-2 split in six nations nobody complained

[@leeann152]

Matt always wants the rules to change to his liking 🙄

[@pholosomore9831]

That's why Ireland will never win the world cup. Talk like this.

[@barrykent3013]

He's not irish

[@pholosomore9831]

@@barrykent3013 he doesn't have to be.

[@davidpeters3857]

@@pholosomore9831 He doesn’t have to be 👀 take your meds !

[@pholosomore9831]

@@davidpeters3857 shut up you quarter-final king.

[@davidpeters3857]

@@pholosomore9831 recognise the flag dummy

[@jarrodlesar6116]

Cry babies. This is not backyard rugby. This is not the 80s/90s as mentioned. Its 2024, these athletes are conditioned to play 80+ minutes.. No stats or facts to back up your claims to player safety.

[@hennievandenberg7865]

Mats tears bring me great joy

[@teacheral5048]

Sounds like Rassie might be... IN HIS HEEAAAAAAD, IN HIS HEEEEAAAEEED! 😂

[@willrobberts8759]

Matt won’t be satisfied until Union is League where all players look the same and it looks like a game of “touch rugby”. Pick a different sport mate!

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

These guys!! LOL If South Africa bring on their water boy, it must be discriminating against drinks breaks.

[@davidpeters3857]

Silly little Jesus freak

[@alaing4276]

Does Matt think the subs role in a game is simply to relieve tired and injured players and not strategy ?

[@wot4922]

He definitely believes that.

[@lynnseptember1855]

Safety first for all players is at its core. Surely then when 8 of the 15 players have more set play physicality, it makes sense to have the 6:2 or 7:1 in the match.

[@gerrieduplessis1392]

"Springboks are abusing the fact that they have so many good players and it has to stop" WTF. Cry baby.

[@OndelaQondo-v3b]

You can change all the rules, we are still going to find a legal way within the "changed rules" to win 😂😂 🇿🇦❤️

[@johansenekal1319]

Here we go again!! Matt Williams complaining about the rules again just as Warren Gatland...criticizing South Africas' game and everytime South Africa tries something new and to be innovated...the critics and sour krauts of the world like Matt Williams and Warren Gatland jump up and wet their pants...crying like pre school children not getting their ice cream!! Matt Williams and Warren Gatland need to adapt OR learn OR stay away from rugby!!

[@greenplasticgun]

Ah man, this guy is endlessly entertaining. Keep at it, Matt Williams, you're single handedly keeping South Africa spirits up, giggling all the way to another WC.

[@Jaco-v1o]

Next he might want Boks to play touch rugby and not tackle because our players are to big

[@cyborgwolfza1576]

Matt if u don't play rugby to your strength then why play rugby the all black are a team with running rugby why don't put in 6 back line players in because they play to there strength I think your opinion to that makes no sense

[@hermanstrydom3519]

They should increase the number of subs to 10.

[@kurukoei]

Oh ffs, are you crying again Matt? Rule no 1, don't be a doos

[@ashleybasson5664]

“Play the game, not the player” 🤷🏽‍♂️ Other countries just do not have the depth that SA has, and they are trying to defang SA.

[@samuelarend-n1m]

This is rugby and how you play it does not matter as long it's with in the rules.South Africa are busy designing the game every single time and always getting on top why? Cause of too much new rules

[@JacquesNel-g4q]

Matt Williams disregards the fact that forwards (especially the tight 5) take more of a hammering than the backs - and therefore have a greater need for replacement. Perhaps this is why his services as a coach appear to no longer be required.

[@ReaperZA-mu2sn]

I see a lot mentioning LoopHole , absolutely no Loophole is being used ! You are allowed to choose your bench and you are allowed to replace them how you see fit. If there was a rule saying you need to have 5 forwards and 3 backs and you classify someone like Kwagga as a back then it would be a loophole but as it currently stands no Loophole is being used. On the flip side , the Boks are taking care of there forwards by replacing them before they get too tired and do themselves an injury due to lapse of concentration in the scrum , I would suggest other countries taking care of there forwards in the same manner , Safety first Ireland!

[@leonardrhode7016]

Or what if a forward or a back has the talent to play multiple positions? No reason, he can not then be used then for those positions. Back in SA i have seen many players play both forward and backs many years ago when i still played didn't see the problem if they have the talent to do so. Just makes them really good players.

[@M0RR1S10]

Next Rassie should do a 8-0

[@KingKhyron]

6 - 2 = The Bomb Squad. 7 - 1 = The Nuke Squad. 8 - 0 = The Apocalypse Squad.

[@leonardrhode7016]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jameswyatt4443]

I started playing rugby when I was 8 years old, I was a prop, and we as 8 year olds were scrumming. But this guy has a problem with an extra forward sub in international rugby as a safety issue. Someone tell Matt Williams that every team with a 5-3 split still has 3 front row players on the bench, he’s talking utter Bs.

[@raymondhorn8041]

This guy is a cry baby . The replacements actually reduce injuries. Also he keeps saying that The irish had the worst game in years... saying that at thier worst they can go up against the World champs and only lose by 7. Wat a discracefull person .

[@frederickbotha2379]

Sorry Matt . This is just Sour Grapes from your side. For each and every argument that you brought forward, there is an counter argument.

[@mareemeyer8679]

Back to his old ways. What exactly did he achieve? Similar to the rules, SA uses loopholes to use better commentators. Agree, unfair that others have to listen to this nonsense.

[@zielkelabuschagne756]

Out of every single rugby podcast. This Matt Williams cries the hardest😂 shame

[@Manlesss]

Loool this is nonsense shame .

[@TheThinkingMathematician]

he claims "our" game is for all shapes and sizes yet wants scrums diminished? he is just negative

[@treytoomuch]

STRAIGHT FROM WIKIPEDIA "Matt Williams (born 1960) is an Australian rugby union coach who is best known for whining about Springbok rugby and Rassie Erasmus" Whoever made this edit is a hero 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@leonardrhode7016]

I just saw that tonight man that is funny 😂😂😂😂 this guy is in the wrong profession he should have been a comedian he would have had more success 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Rozebud0893]

there is a letteral study on USA football players that indicate that it is safer when fresher players and more substitutions are made, as a fresher player is less likely to be mentally and physically fatigued, and thus less likely to cause an injury or get injured as they have more control of their body and "in the moment" decision-making. I just don't understand the point being made with zero evidence to support it.

[@japo3713]

So tired players running into each other is safe 🤔

[@nevillepieterse9983]

lol and they all crying for more ‘ running and expansive’ rugby how will reducing the number of subs help with this?

[@JC023]

🤣😂😂

[@werne123125555]

There is no data to claim that fresh forwards cause injuries.

[@werne123125555]

Because of safety???? Rugby is a physical game. Are you saying people are going to get injured in the scrum .....

[@marctison]

Matt, your gripe is the bench, which gives the Boks the advantage, but it is rubbish. They have the depth to do this. You NEVER complained before. You are conflicted because Australia can never get this depth of development going. You seem to contradict yourself. You agree it's fair game, but your rhetoric is different. The bottom line is you hate it as an Australian that SA can do what Australia cannot do and hope that this will give you a chance to win a RWC.

[@garrickvandernest4584]

how about each nation can only select a national squad from players born in their respective country, that would be interesting to see how the game changes

[@JacoLuus]

You cannot have a 6-2 or 7-1, but 5-3 is fine as long as you do not make the subs at the same time and not to soon after the second half.... wara wara wara.... Matt needs to explain his logic, if I can replace a player more often it will be safer for the player, if a player is tired and plays on he will be injured. You replace forwards more because their work rate is higher. If you don't like the tackticle subs just say it. This is not the 80's, 90's or 2000's anymore we progressed and this is why the fan base increased, rugby is more interesting. To answer Matts concern regarding lower levels of rugby... THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS at U9 level in South Africa the boys are not allowed to push in a scrum and the attacking team has to win the ball, up to U18 rugby the scrum are not allowed to move more than 5 meters, and list goes on. Matt sounds like someone with sour grapes because he hates it to see South Africa win.

[@frederickbotha2379]

Matt . This is the worst argument that it Discriminate against the Backs, Choose a team that can win the game for you and not to satisfy the oppositions Couch !!!!

[@peterwomersley]

no evidence that fresh legs are dangerous . In fact it evidential that injury goes down with replacements . Whose tradition ? What ethos ? How come ev ery one is coying it ?

[@alexandraos2607]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS ABOUT THIS Guy. NOTHING TO ADD. I DONT LIKE TO INSULT PEOPLE BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP😂😂

[@backpassfc8610]

Horses complaining about cars. Just get on with it

[@thomasVA9707]

If players rest less then we'll see more injuries. Please get the old man some oxygen

[@craigsmall]

His upset he didnt think of this masterclass tactic

[@Carlo4rm1doorblock]

😂 South Africa is such a nightmare to world rugby

[@phillipmiga3961]

Matt always negative thoughts on Rassie n his tactics Rassie follows rules of the game he didn't made those rules, south african players are build differently they are big n strong different type of human specimen, all blacks did it with jona lomu n crew they were huge n dominating rugby

[@millerbiz]

Only Matt Williams agrees with this crap. The data will show no additional danger to players.

[@hiltonbaron1588]

When is Matt going to wake up and catch up.

[@KarlRichardMartinDavids]

Please tell me is Matt an expert on what he is talking about. He is one of the international coaches with the worst record and a pundit in my view with a one sided view on everything. Please let him not speak on SA rugby he does not like South African period, and will always have a bias towards them.

[@KingKhyron]

I think it is safe to say that Saffas unanimously despise Matt. He has been added to our shitlist, along with Bryce Lawrence and Nic White.

[@Balk777]

So in the 90s if u were facing the great Jonah Lomu, would u have played a player like Cheslin Kolbe?

[@rudolphroets]

What's next, ban SA from playing rugby?

[@Avlon2206]

Does this guy ever stop crying?

[@jackblack111]

What are Matt Williams' accolades in rugby? Just curious since he's very vocal about the safety aspect of the game.

[@leonardrhode7016]

3 wins and 17 games lost as head coach of Scotland maybe jealous he did think of this tactics 😂😂😂😂 or just salty😂😂😂😂

[@jackblack111]

@@leonardrhode7016 I'll go with salty 🤣🤣

[@dunlaoghaire]

Jesus, Alan Quinlan is a disaster....

[@obriena10000]

Matt was clear - SA can play within the laws however they please His point is surely the laws should correct for this as it changes the dynamic of the entire sport - allowing more giants who can last 40mins in and removing other athlete types who can play 80mins. It’s a choice for world rugby pure and simple. SA are utilising the flexibility to exploit their incredible riches in resources so fair play

[@rashaadprice4998]

Who the hell is Matt Williams....is he going to tell us that we can't play Kolbe because his too small and too fast...he could get hurt if the tall guys tackled him...Matt Williams is a cry baby...8 subs is to make rugby faster and more entertaining...this is about power and South Africa has power in spades. We have speed in the rear and big strong timber up front....South Africa is totally unique in that these two systems were borne out of apartheid....it's rugby developed along colour lines where white was tall and strong ,it's game was developed around the pack...people of colour ,who supported New Zealand back then developed the running game...which is about speed....Rassie knows this ,he grew up around it and he and Alistair Coetzee go way back playing against each other....South Africa is getting the benefits of Rassies vision....it was my vision too growing up..there are many kopbes and etzebeths in South Africa because of it

[@siyandangxangane4909]

I’m literally struggling to understand this clown! His been hurting since the WC! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ronaldtitus8221]

Making a statement then second guessing yourself. What next? Cancel scrums?

[@willemgreeff4475]

So why does the other team not bring on six forwards?

[@nevillepieterse9983]

If we change the number of subs on international level won’t that be a disadvantage to these players on club level as they will be battered and bruise if some play full 80 min and then go back to their clubs where they make their livelihood. Don’t make sense reducing subs as it helps the players and the clubs who pays their wages having much more healthier and ready-to-go players once they come back from international duty or am I looking at this picture wrong?

[@hermanstrydom3519]

It is probably safer to bring replacements on and gives forwards career longevity.

[@siviwenjajula5844]

I love Matt😂😂 he entertainss me. Wouldnt mind even paying his medical aid just to see him on socials

[@ven_one]

Williams, it's time to give it up. It's 2024. The game has changed. it's even gotten softer in some areas because of people like you. Leave the game alone now. This is a mans game. Go watch ballet and comment on something else. We don't need any more interference. Best you move on.

[@burn6580]

Matt Williams is a nobody, when their teams loose they always want to change the rules.

[@readesiun988]

He is Australian and Australia won

[@t.bozmkw3562]

His attitude is why Australian rugby union is a mess.

[@Balk777]

Rassie earned the right to do it because he changed the players ip...some of his backs can cover 3 positions and a guy like Kwagga can play at 13

[@edwardsmall8865]

It is like large corporations are operating. Looking for loopholes. Powerful lawyers. Operating like the Stellenbosh mafia. A few years ago the Australian cricket teams behaviour was also copied.

[@Pack-ManT-B-Told]

Oh, absolutely, while we’re busy bickering over nonsense, let’s dive into the wings. Because it’s totally fair that James Lowe is a whopping 1.88m and 105kg, while “poor” Cheslin Kolbe is just 1.72m and 70kg. Yeah, that’s a real balanced matchup right there. Jy is ‘n poepol

[@pieterbouwsema7556]

If he's really concerned about safety then he would rather debate that they increase the number of substitutes rather then limit them per position.. but he won't because other teams don't have the depth of the springbok. Don't hate on them just because you aren't them

[@South_Affy]

Omg. What the heck is he talking about?

[@garybeharrie]

springboks winning is discrimination against the opponents

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

It is NOT a LOOPHOLE. Complete garbage. Rugby is a contact sport. Watch soccer and leave us alone

[@BraamvanNiekerk-v6r]

Shame,go and assist Aus to get up there again and leave the grown up stuff to the big boys!

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

you cant change subsitute rules...in football/soccer they have 5 changes you can do

[@archibaldwittes2855]

Boks come in 7-1 for second test.😛😂🤣🤣😂😋

[@thomasVA9707]

guys please just wikipedia Matt Williams , its really funny what it says

[@leonardrhode7016]

Lmao i just check man that is funny it actually says he is best know for whining about Springbok Rugby and Rassie 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@leonardrhode7016]

Well spotted mate 😂😂😂

[@stevefromsouthafrica]

Objectively speaking, Matt Williams was Scotland’s worst coach ever. His punditry career is following a similar path.

[@t.bozmkw3562]

South Africa play to their DNA. SA can ball play but it's predominately a forward style in SA.

[@TheAvocado86]

Rassie in Matt's head... 😂

[@Jean-PierreBotha-qf9gu]

In his heeeeaaaad raaassssieee raasssiieeeee

[@jeffreykgatitsoe627]

And here I was thinking Gandalf had changed in his ways but yeah, he always goes out his ways to prove how senile and demented he is. What you saying has nothing with to do with passion but an obsession of an old man who is sour of Africans dominating Rugby and your mates at World Rugby also hate how we as South Africans are dominating Rugby.

[@Shendersonsports3003]

Matt Williams once again reminding us why he was Scotland's worst ever coach. The bench split is entirely based on a team's style of play and not 'discrimination.' The game would become pretty dull if every side had to adjust their tactics to fit in with a permanent 5-3 split or something similar

[@Jacques1963]

It's called strategy. All teams can do it. You MW, are targeting South Africa because they are doing it. When SA does something radical to the sport, then you want to change the rules. Don't talk about traditions, it's called progression. The sport is traditional but is played with progress in mind. Move with the times old man.

[@EugeneHuman-kl1vc]

Matt should take a chill pill, you're replacements in the new day and age of rugby - you can play any player of any size. 8 men on the bench. You can use in permutation or way you like. It depends on your teams function and preference. If you are punting for more speed, then most players on the bench would be faster speedster players. It all depends on how the tactics and the way your squad wants to play the Full 80min. Rules are fine like it is.