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While rugby is a game rich in tradition, it is no stranger to adapting to its audiences desires – tries and goalkicks both used to count only one point each but obviously this has changed to make the game more spectacular.
The game could do with another change: let’s get rid of scrums.
For most rugby lovers (and in particular hookers and props – or front rowers if you prefer – and maybe even some scrum-halves) my suggestion will be pure sacrilege.
For many rugby players and spectators the scrum-battles, between a pair of evenly matched front rowers, have at times been the highlight of a close contest, but I think scrum-time has become the most boring part of the game.
Nobody, including referees, coaches, players, and commentators ever really seems to know, or agree with, why things go wrong in a scrum. In the end the referee gets to make the final call and it often leads to confusing decisions.
The margin scrum-errors is too big and often no one knows how to correct it even when they want to.
Referee Steve Walsh awarded penalty after penalty to Wales in their last Six Nations encounter with England. What was supposed to be a good game was marred by a penalty to Wales each time the two teams engaged in a scrum.
It was not only puzzling, but also very fustrating to watch.
In an average rugby game, heaps of time is wasted on setting and re-setting scrums, and more often then not they result in a debatable free-kick or penalty.
The laws are too complicated and can’t be applied fairly. Scrums disrupts the flow of the game. Time that could’ve been spent watching exciting players run is spent watching players cooling their heels instead.
Why not just reward a free-kick instead of a scrum each time there is a knock-on? It would make for a lot faster and exciting game. It might also encourage players to be better ball handlers.
This way we would see the ball in play more often, instead of waiting for yet another “crouch, hold and engage”.
Are you open to change or a stickler for a tradition that is taking away from the game?
Let’s do away with the scrum humdrum.
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.