Quote: leg_end "Why not just give the penalty and let the attacking team either kick for touch or kick for goal OR let them take a quick tap to keep it going. At present refs will not allow a quick tap. They always stop play while the defensive line re sets.'"
As you say yourself, you don't get the continuity of play with a so-called quick tap, because so often the refs don't allow it. Six more gives that continuity.
Also, how many times do you see a ref blow up for a pen when actually allowing play to continue would probably result in a try? Winger intercepts a pass and sprints from his own line. Is hauled down just short by the opposing full-back, who hangs on for dear life, but he eventually plays it. Under the old system, the ref blows a pen (and maybe yellow card), defence has time to reset. Six again and they probably score anyway. Ref can go back and issue a yellow later if need be.
