I really like the idea of 'Be A Pro Mode" where you only play as one member of your team and you get upgrades to your attributes based on how well you played, FIFA 10 did it better than FIFA 09, as you actually had to do something involving that stat then just play the game and put experience into it, say you kicked heaps and in one game you kicked like +450m, you could get +2 to the Kicking Power attribute or Caught 25 high balls in one game +1 Handling etc... You could also have ones that are season long and you get even more bonuses, like Top Try Scorer for the League, +5 to finishing or something... (I'd have no idea what it'd be called) You can then also do focused training outside of matches, say you are the fullback and you just don't have that much strength and you can't bring down the opposition's wingers (or something like that) then you can go to the weights room and after 2 weeks or so (so like 2 matches, where you've selected weights room after each) you will have +1 strength.. of course, the amount of training you do between games would affect fatigue, so you'd only do it when you need really need to...
Also, when you are creating your player, you should remove being able to add however many points you want, my fullback should not be the best forward in the game... Plus, when you are choosing which attributes should be better, you should have a few templates that beginners should use like "Runner", "Ball Winner" which will change his attributes accordingly at the start, though you should also allow us to start from scratch with attributes...
Another point is that Created Players should take time to level up, say you did do it on a scale of 1 to 99, then my Character should start in the early fifties, and I'd have to work hard to get him to play nearly as well as an international player, and I could do this by just playing with my pro and making him do a lot of work...
Unlike FIFA's Be A Pro mode though, you should be allowed to 'Apply' for positions to the coach, say your character was going to eventually be the goal-kicker for the All-Blacks one day, so he'd need a bit of practice with the boot, so you apply for the position and based on your stats, the coach will give you a go and then you can bring in aspects like Position Security, if you are a full-back and you can't catch the ball, you should lose that position and have to work your way back on the team from the reserves or whatever.. Applying for positions would count for both actual positions like prop, hooker etc. and roles, such as kicker..
Being a captain should also be allowed to 'apply' for or you should be allowed to suggest to the captain what you should do, say if it was a kickable penalty, you'd be asked (if you were the kicker) whether or not you can take the shot or if they want a scrum or a lineout.. etc. If you aren't in a position where you should have any say in it, the AI'll decide, like the far-side winger wouldn't have any say in the matter!
The view Be A Pro Mode uses in FIFA 10 and 09 is a really good one for when you are playing as just one person, like a really far back 3rd person view because you get a better view of the play and can watch a lot more...
You'd also be able to call for the ball as a pass or a kick, for which there should be animations like, the 'W' hand shape for pass (like
this random picture) or a hand pointing to the sky for a kick... As for catching, the way you go up for the ball should matter, any self-respecting fullback knows you turn side on as you jump so if you let the ball go through your arms it'll go back and not come off your chest and be a knock on, this could be changed by when you are jumping holding the analog stick to a direction and he'll turn to face it and have a better chance of catching it..
CELEBRATIONS! You need to have celebrations, a cartwheel here or even just one finger pointing to the sky ala Tomasi Cama from the Sevens... I know Rugby isn't a game where celebrations happen often, but I just know the feeling when it is overtime, the home team is down 4 points and they go over for a try...
Manager mode where you can enhance players stats through concetrated training and also different coaching styles as well as trading them and so on (already mentioned in posts beforehand) would be good too...
Make the kick buttons and the score a try button different, too many times have I been right at the 5m line (or just behind it rather) and pressed 'O' and have had that damn blue arrow appear... that's no fun!
Oh and when you score a try, you shouldn't be mobbed by both teams... that's just annoying, maybe the AI has a hope factor or something like that where, if you cross the line, the winger on the other side will just give up but maybe the center would try and stop you from getting it under the sticks.. this'll also mean if you get a breakaway try, most of the forwards won't sprint after you, they'd just jog back towards their line and if need be sprint to the ruck if you are tackled, while 3 or 4 backs might give chase in an attempt to stop you (this would also stop that mob that chases) and some of your players would do similarly, forwards would jog and maybe one or two or three players would keep up in support (but depending on speed might not keep up with you) and they need a better line then that damn flying V -.- haha
