How many phases in one play in rugby union?

Answer 1

In the Heineken Cup on 8/12/2007 Munster finished their game against Llanelli Scarlets with 33 phases. Being in the lead with 5 minutes to go, the last thing they wanted to do was to give the ball to the opposition so that they could score! So they simply held onto the ball. A phase in this context is when the ball carrier is tackled and the ball goes to ground, the supporting players form a ruck around the tackled player and the ball is recycled by passing it back to the next player or set of players. It's very difficult for the opposition to get the ball but you run the risk that one of your players will knock the ball on thus giving a scrum ball to the opposition. Munster won 16-29 and went on to win the Heineken Cup in Cardiff in 2008. I don't know if it was a record but it was quite impressive. Others would say it's just boring.

Answer 2

There is not set amount of phases. A phase is section of play where the attacking team carries the ball between a breakdown i.e. an offside, knock on or turn over. Where the attacking team is stopped and the ball recycled back for the attack to continue this is called a phase normally a ruck or maul sets a phase up

Answer 3

There's an example on you tube of Munster scoring after 33 or 35 phases. That is the most I've ever seen anyway.