Yes, technically they did alter the rules to make the final shorter but:
1. I doubt it would have affected the result. An extra 6 minutes would have been 6 more minutes in which Wasps (as comfortably the better team) could have extended their lead.
2. All preceding matches were 7 minutes each way so it wasn't as if the two teams weren't used to that time period for a match!
3. It was the same for both teams & both teams were aware of it in advance (or at worst would have guessed by HT at least when the first half ended after 7 mins!)
4. As with any competition, the Committee's decision is final. If they wanted to make it 7 mins each way, they could.
5. Tigers actually breached Rule 9 by not being ready for the final 5 mins before kick-off. (They were still doing drills as Wasps were in the tunnel & only Varndell was dressed as Wasps ran on to the pitch!)
6. Sky have dictated match kick-off times for years, in rugby AND football! How many times have you seen teams out on the pitch waiting to start but can't do so until the little man at the side of the field signals thatthe TV studio are ready? It happens for most live games at Welford Road.
7s - Sky changing the rules?
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