- Put pressure on the opposition under the high ball with a view to making a net gain in territory, whilst still retaining posession (particularly if you have a Freddie Steward type player in your side who is quality under the high ball).

- Change the point of attack if line breaks aren't coming off and the opposition have real strength in their defence. Some believe that a retreating opposition is more unstructured and subsequently easier to break down.

- If the risk doesn't pay off (and possession is surrendered) it still forces the opposition to attack from deep.

- The weather conditions lend themselves to this style of play. For example how England employed it very effectively against the Boks in what were damp conditions during their RWC semi final last year. It did help that 6'5 Steward was matched up against the diminutive SA wingers.

Like many aspects of rugby, it'll work for some teams, but not others. It really depends on the strengths of the teams personnel (eg Eng v SA) in this area, and how they are coached.