Where has the drop goal gone?

Without sounding too much like Sir Clive Woodward, I am about to profess my love for the drop goal.

When executed, it’s a beautiful yet simple piece of skill, completed with mere ease that can have devasting consequences, but where has it gone?

You might be right in thinking I have written this as a depressed England fan to purely reminisce of days gone by in Sydney 2003,(and yes, it is much needed therapy) but the disappearance of the drop goal from international rugby is an odd conundrum.

So just to highlight the extent of its disappearance here are some of the most interesting stats. (Credit: The Times).

In 2002 there were 23 drop goals and even in 2011 it was as high as 20, but the past two editions have yielded only eight and six apiece. Wilkinson kicked eight by himself in 2003, a tournament in which George Gregan, Brian O’Driscoll and Martyn Williams all slotted three points from open play.

Most famously Jannie De Beer scored five in one match to knock England out in 1999.

Probably the last iconic drop goal was Dan Carter in the 2015 World Cup Final from 40 metres out to consolidate the Kiwis lead.

But of the six in the 2019 tournament, they all came in the pool stages, two of which from Wales. Dan Biggars successful drop goal within 1 minute against Australia helped set the tone for a great Welsh win.

With all the talk in the modern game of points per visit, why not deal in threes from 30+ metres out. England, in particular have really struggled with converting scores in the 22, but they have George Ford at fly-half who has drop goal pedigree and all the skills necessary.

If England are to be labelled as boring, at least own the tag and score via the most boring of means.

Building a score is one of the oldest cliches in rugby, for all the huff and puff of attacking effort against much stronger, well drilled modern defences, the drop goal remains a largely indefensible attacking weapon.

Yes, New Zealand and Ireland deal mainly in seven-point scores but for teams like England who struggle to convert, a simple three from 30+ metres out might not be the most unwise decision. For all the energy exerted from celebrating a penalty Ben Earl style, a drop goal requires a lot less effort and is far more effective.

Even in 2023, the drop goal still has a crucial place in the sport, teams should embrace its effectiveness and potentially devasting consequences. Lets bring back the drop goal, the game would be better for it.