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Like many disgruntled fans of rugby, I am over the time wasted on scrums. Having spent the vast majority of my rugby life as a forward, I didn’t enjoy scrums then – and I certainly don’t now!
What is most infuriating is when the ball is clearly won by a team, yet the scrum collapses and the referee blows it up and starts the process over again.
The referees are seeking perfection in scrums and are clearly not interested in getting on with the game.
Jaco Peyper’s display in the Chiefs versus ‘Tahs match is a case in point, where he almost sent us to sleep with his countless re-setting of scrums.
There were instances where the ball was clearly under the feet of the lock when the front row collapsed, yet he blew for another scrum. Peyper strutted around like some parade ground sergeant seeking drilled perfection.
It is also time to take the penalties out of scrums – it is grossly unfair that an 80-minute contest can be decided on the whim of referee from a scrum infringement. And as Ewen McKenzie suggested, morph the scrums with the front rows packing first, followed by the locks etc.
Get the ball in, get a result and move on.
There was a time once when referees were told that they were the 31st player and not to be seen. Their job was to maintain the flow of the game.
It is time to return to those days.
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.