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“Crouch, touch, set”. That’s the new scrum call from international referees this weekend, another brain explosion from the IRB.
Gone is the pause after the crouch, a step in the right direction. But it’s the touch that is the problem area. Always has been, always will.
While props concentrate on their body and feet positioning, the last thing they need is to become unbalanced by extending an arm that rarely touches anyway. It’s a token effort, at best.
It’s unnatural.
“Crouch, set” is all that’s required, with referees making sure both front rows are close together from the start.
The IRB must get it right, rugby fans the world over are sick to death of constant scrum resets. It’s no fun for the forwards either.
Having said that, the IRB has done well with the five seconds maximum ‘use it or lose it’ law to clear scrums and rucks. Wallaby scrumhalf Nick Phipps is a serial offender.
How often has Phipps just looked at the ball lying on the ground, waiting to be cleared while he gets his mind, and body position, in motion?
Now he must deliver quickly, which will be a huge bonus for fly-half Kurtley Beale, giving him extra time and space to weave his magic.
Elementary my dear Watson.
It will be mighty interesting to see how the new laws regarding scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls and quick service work over the next four weekends.
As for Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, at last some stability, with the backline unchanged from the 18-all draw with the All Blacks last time out.
But there are three changes up front to meet France at 6:45 Sunday morning AEST.
Prop Sekope Kepu returns from injury to replace James Slipper, lock Sitaleki Timani is injured with Kane Douglas his replacement, and David Dennis fills in as blindside flanker to replace the suspended Scott Higginbotham.
Still no return for David Pocock from knee surgery, hopefully next weekend against England.
Then the arguments will start big time – Pocock wearing 6 to allow for Michael Hooper?
No argument in my book – Pocock 7, Hooper 6.
I can’t believe how Pocock has been forgotten so quickly by so many. Hooper’s done well in patches as his replacement, when he’s not giving away penalties.
But over 80 minutes, Hooper is no Pocock.
However it does make for spirited discussion as the Wallabies embark on a four-Test itinerary to make sure they finish ranked in the world’s top four by early December, guaranteeing themselves top seeding in one of the 2015 Rugby World Cup groups.
That’s a must.