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.
matt
Guest
From a parents view it's dangerous, the amount of paraplegics from scrums at least 10 a year. And players receiving wedgies from line outs slows the game. Some [mods. snip. pls avoid swear words] Artist( traditionalist) may argue the game is turning into league. but with rucks and mauls and strips, there's still more contesting for the ball. A sport filled with a combined 80 % of scrums, kicks for touch, penalty goals and line outs. isn't a sport and gets in the way of the main fun of tackling, rucks and mauls running and passing the ball. Past player
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
Getting rid of scrums is obsurd, it is one of the great things about rugby. Scrum resets are a problem that could be fixed with looser jerseys or even hooks on the jerseys for the props to hold on to.
jason8
Guest
What kind of twit suggests we drop the scrums ??? What we need is less scrum penalties and stoppages etc... this easy - chuck half the penalisable infringement rulkes away and just let the fat blokes sort it out themselves. Red prop scrumming inwards ? well then best blue prop do his best to counter that action ! you get the idea.
expatmatt
Guest
scrums must stay in the game but I think we need to go back to the push(weight) only being allowed once the ball has been put in. To my mind the collapses and constant resets are directly attributable to the current engagement process which is idiosynchratic because refs have different interpretations on the length of time (which tems try and gamle on when they try and anticipate the call ) between the 'touch' and the 'set' (which admittedly is a great improvement over the touch pause and engage of past years) - Not rocket science that when the hit goes on at engagement one or both front rows get unsettled and bugger me dead it all falls down.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I have seen those Bakkies, love them
Bakkies
Guest
Jez I suggest you watch Cron's coaching videos on the rugbysite. I think they are up on youtube too.
Bakkies
Guest
You used to be able to change the formation of the scrum.
hoqni
Guest
http://www.johorrugby.com/?page_id=404 Just sharing that first 10s tournament took place in Malaysia in 1967.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Cheers Stan welcome aboard! Despite your strange and perverted views on scrums you are most welcome here and can describe yourself however you like. I'm sure Biltong, Rusty, Temba and our other SA posters will gladly gather one more countryman into their midst.
Stanley
Guest
It is definitely the one part of the game that I won't revel in. Would like to see how or if scrum laws can ever improve. Until then I will remain an anti-scrum advocate.
Stanley
Guest
I knew there would be consequenses. Expected more hate speech to be honest, but everone here are obviously too civilized for that. Looks like it is mostly the props complaining though, but we are all use to that by know. Just joking! If you took scrums away it would probably be the start of a whole new code. I can't help but still feel though that 7's and 10's are better adverts for the game. It is like comparing test cricket, ODI's and Twenty20 - with the 15-man game almost becoming like test cricket (I love test cricket btw) - the boring version. Problems with the scrum seems to be the main reason for that happening. I agree that scrums shouldn't dissapear just yet, but it needs to be fixed.
Stanley
Guest
I agree whole heartedly.
Stanley
Guest
Yep, I agree the Southern Hemisphere still rules rugby. I watched the Cheetahs and Kings game rlast weekend and the scrums did take up a lot of the time. Watching the precious seconds tick away felt like Chinese torture at times.
Stanley
Guest
I am a proud Saffa (I have never thought of it as an offensive refference - on the contrary). Thought the refference would be appropiate since this is an Australian site - "When in Rome..." Might also mention that I am a big sportsfan and also of Australian sport in particular, and yes, you are right, very few South Africans are. Great site btw - only discovered it the other day and glad I can share my opinions here. I played rugby (mostly scrum-half) most of my life (at school and club level) and winding up front rowers used to be part of my attacking arsenal. I guess old habits die hard. Seriously though, I think we all agree scrums are in a bit of shambles and need some serious attention. We only live once and I don't want to spend my precious time watching the game go backward. I enjoy(ed) reading all the comments and most of you are much bigger experts on scrums than I am. No hits, safer binding and time-stoppages to allow for time-wasting sound like great ideas to me. Obviously getting rid of scrums completely would be a worst-case scenario. Think about it though... rugby without scrums. Could become the next big hit :)
Dan H
Guest
I agree that the scrums use up too much time. Its sacrilege to suggest we just do away with them because they use too much time, could however get around that with time stoppages. The time factor is my only beef I love my rugby and wouldnt be disappointed if it went 10-20 mins longer.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Although maybe I should say is claiming to be South African. I haven't heard too many South Africans refer to themselves as Saffa's nor do many list AFL as a favourite sport.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Frans, click on the authors profile he is South African.
Billy Bob
Guest
Melon, I suspect our writer may be a league-phile. credit to his effort though. There are the concepts of babies and bath water and peeling an onion till you get to .......... Nothing,? Or RL?
Frans
Guest
I am shocked by this sugestion . I think it is only in Australia that you will hear this . The writer of this article have no love or real knowledge of the game . When poeple tried to make the game faster the problems in the scrum started . Seems to me Australia always tries to make rules that fits them . After all this new rules I think rugby become more boring !
Bob Anderson
Guest
I like that idea. That would reduce a lot of the time spent waiting for play to resume which is what casual viewers find boring. And why not limit it to one shot, no re-sets per scrum. Either they get it right the first time or there's a penalty or a play the ball. This change would only be needed at the professional level, to prevent viewers from getting bored waiting for play to re-start all the time.