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Welcome back to the forum! Share your thoughts, fears and (happy) tears about the scrum.
Everybody is welcome: backs, forwards, fans, non-fans – even referees.
Please feel free to review the introduction article of the scrumma-mogram for all the details.
First up: Jonathan Kaplan – the Crusaders are ‘Cheatahs’
We start with a controversial analysis of a controversial sequence, quoting a controversial journalist and ex-referee. This sequence was spotted live, based on the comments of New Zealand commentators. They disagreed with the Australian referee, who was favouring a New Zealand team.
What was found was a consistent left-to-right scrum push by the Crusaders. It’s a bit like playing checkers in a game of chess.
DaffyD says:
I saw this game live and once again found myself becoming frustrated with the game of rugby. In agreement with the commentators and questioning, I asked myself why I was not doing something more entertaining, like scrubbing out the grout in the shower?
As pointed out, referee Andrew Lees has come through via sevens, so maybe he just doesn’t yet have the experience to referee scrums at the high level.
In my opinion, the ref should have swapped sides of the scrum to get a better all-round view – especially before awarding a yellow card or penalty try. However, the important question I’d like to raise is what is the assistant referee doing around scrum time?
Is he ‘assisting’ the referee? After all, he was exactly 15 metres away when the yellow card occurred. If we have two refs that can’t pick up this sort of thing, then there is something wrong.
As I’ve said before, I believe there is far too much importance placed on the scrum, resets and the number of penalties that are coming from it – to the detriment of the game. I have more thoughts on this, see below.
Diggercane says:
DaffyD has pretty much summed up my thoughts over the whole process. My question for Roarers, is it simply angling or is he lifting? I think the flanker provides a clue… Either way, it’s a hiding to nothing if the ball is fed before it is stable.
Scrum resets: Time to fix it
Like a bad movie sequel, the scrum reset has returned to waste our time. Super Rugby 2015 fans are forced to endure a significant amount of failed scrums. Fortunately, the issue is clear and the solution is at hand. It is time to clean up the shop! The next sequence is self-explanatory.
Diggercane says:
The mechanics all seem quite simple really:
1. Stand closer
2. Line your head up with your gap
3. No heads below hips
4. Closer you are, the longer the bind
5. Reduce the hit
6. Nice and balanced when you come together
7. No ‘accidental collapses’
8. Scrums can be fed a lot quicker too.
Can the answer be that simple? I think so, particularly combined with DaffyD’s suggested rule amendments below.
DaffyD says:
While watching that video with the Benny Hill music, honestly I’m not sure whether I should laugh or cry. The question was raised, and the answer given. I believe the answer about the scrum mechanics is just the starting point. But it is not going to address the situation while the rules remain as is.
I’ll add my own answer to the question: How to reduce the resets?
1. Simple! No reset for a ‘contested’ scrum.
There are two exceptions I can think of, that occurs only if the scrum hasn’t yet been a contest. Allow a reset if the ball is not been fed and the scrum collapses, or if the ball is fed and comes out the same tunnel.
So what would happen if a scrum collapses after the ball is fed? The team that has the ball underneath it when the scrum goes down would gain possession from a free kick. Therefore:
2. The team that ‘wins the strike’ or ‘wins the shove’ and gets the ball gets the free kick
If the strike is not obvious if the ball is not played – the team that didn’t knock on gets the ball.
And while some might consider teams will ‘wrought this system’, and deliberately collapse a scrum to get the free kick. Isn’t that already happening now?
But we need to go further. I believe there needs to be some drastic changes around the laws regarding the scrum. As well as no resets, reduce the overall number of scrums that occur for non-knock-on offences. Therefore, also:
3. No scrum alternative in lieu of a free kick or penalty
4. Remove the scrum alternative if ball not straight in a lineout*
5. Remove the scrum alternative if the ball is not kicked 10 metres from the kick off
6. If the ball goes touch in goal, (not over the dead ball line) it should be a lineout where the ball is kicked from, not a scrum.
There’s other non-knock-on scrums that need to go. I’m sure you get the idea – feel free to add others in the comments.
*For the first lineout, the players a lined out ready to go, but if the second lineout is not straight, then allow a call for alternative scrum. After all, there may be a wind howling down the field.
OK, that’s all folks!
I hope it was fun! Your observations are appreciated. Questions are even more appreciated. No question is too stupid and anyone can answer.
Also, feel free to request any other engagements you want to be ‘Scrumma-mogramed’.
Also, stay tuned for the next round:
– Waratahs vs Stormers, identified by Harry Jones and DiggerCane
– Crusaders vs Highlanders, identified by DiggerCane
– First instalment Wallaby Scrum: Hope? Or Dopes?, identified by various Australians, especially Mike.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.