The Rugby World Cup always throws up a few controversial talking points, and this year has been no different.
The issue of scrum and lineout infringements is sadly nothing new and has been bubbling beneath the surface for years now, but it has got me wondering if it is time for World Rugby to step in and make changes.
Over the past 15 years, scrums have increasingly become, too often, a source of penalties – and in turn, points – and that just does not feel right.
The scrum is meant to be a crucial aspect of the game, a contest of strength and technique, not a way to rack up points on the scoreboard. Yet, we have seen a pattern emerge where the team that takes scrums off a mark often ends up benefiting from a string of penalties.
Take a look at the Springboks; they have been one of the primary exponents of this strategy. Now, do not get me wrong, I admire their passion and the fight they bring to the game, but you have got to ask if we are losing the true essence of rugby when every scrum infringement is penalised.
To put it in perspective, hookers are now three times more likely to score a try than a centre. Let that sink in.
When your frontline scrummager has a better chance of dotting down than your speedsters in the backline, it is a sign that something might be amiss.
We have all witnessed how the Springboks, in the recent Rugby World Cup semifinal, were awarded a crucial scrum penalty, which Handre Pollard duly converted into a match-winning kick.
Sure, it was thrilling, but it made me wonder if we are valuing the dark arts of scrummaging more than the open, flowing, and skilful side of rugby.
South Africa’s Siya Kolisi clashes with England’s Tom Curry during their semifinal clash. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
To me, it is like celebrating the guy who brought the best cheese platter to a potluck instead of the talented chef who whipped up a gourmet dish.
It is not just about South Africa; many teams have become adept at utilising scrums and lineouts as a way to gain an advantage.
We should be encouraging the beauty of the game, the tries, and the spectacular moves rather than rewarding teams for turning scrums and lineouts into tactical tools to collect penalties.
So, as the dust settles on the epic battle between South Africa and England, and we gear up for the final showdown against New Zealand, it might be time for rugby officials to consider a shift towards uncontested scrums and lineouts for infringements.
Let us get back to the basics of the game, where the scrum is a contest of strength and technique, and the lineout is a platform for launching dynamic attacks.
Rugby is all about balance and finding that sweet spot between physicality and skill. Uncontested scrums and lineouts for infringements could be the way forward to preserve the essence of this beautiful game.
It means possession is retained by the team that does not infringe. So a powerful South African scrum can still get an advantage of a set play, but not be gifted penalty shots at goal or regaining possession from a kick into touch.
Until we see some change, let us keep our eyes glued to the screen and enjoy every tackle, every try, and every moment of pure rugby magic – it is still a wonderful game after all.
humesy
Roar Rookie
Isn’t the reward for scrum dominance having a dominant scrum? Exactly! And 9 times out of 10 the dominant scrum is the dominant pack in general play. It is draining and demoralising to be getting pumped in the scrums and the opposite if you are the one doing the pumping. Half the penalties these days aren't even signalled by the ref and often seem to be arbitrary. And make penalties worth 2 not 3.
countryboy17
Roar Rookie
Short version: it's not fair that some teams are better at scrumming than others. Authored by someone who supports a team that is not so good at scrumming, just maybe?
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
The single identifying moment of the game. Nah there's another game where they pick up the ball and run with it. In fact that all they ever do. Pick up the ball, run. In one code there's a constant battle for possession of the ball, in rucks, in line-outs and even in scrums.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Each front rower wears a harness with a simple telemetry device between the shoulder blades. Smart enough to detect movement up / down and left / right. AI analysis in real time as to which of the front row is moving in which direction when, That is fed directly to the scrum ref - preferably a former front row - who makes the decision on any penalty.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
There is nothing less interesting to watch than a five metre lineout being slow walked across the line. Very rarely are they able to be repelled legally, hence so many being scored under penalty advantage.
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
I'd be a lot happier about the scrum if the forwards played a full game, instead of half a game. The abuse by coaches of reserves for injury reserves has mutated into tactical substitutions with a fresh pack coming on in the second half. Saffas are leading the way with there 7-1 split. I expect that to soon become 8-0 with one of the 23 able to play in the backs.
Peter Mc
Roar Rookie
Isn’t it enough advantage that your forwards are pushing their forwards back at a frightening rate. Should be no penalty in such circumstances unless the team being pushed start peeling from the scrum.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
For a short arm penalty a yellow card, be a heck of a brave ref. I don't know if a typical game packs enough scrums for that.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Yep that is my other wish to Daf! Cheers KP
Long Retired Lock
Roar Rookie
There’s no denying that some teams view the scrum as a means to obtain a penalty. Some penalties are warranted however if the ball is at the number 8s feet then can we not just call “use it” and get on with the game. I get frustrated watching a strong scrum hook quick ball and then hold it at the 8s feet whilst attempting to draw a penalty. The only time this should be allowed to occur is with a 5m scrum looking for a pushover try.
The One Inch
Roar Rookie
Repeated infringements = yellow card = low reward
Mike Hod
Roar Rookie
why? the game is more popular around the world than ever before. Just because we are a league dominant culture doesn't mean anyone else is... most notably none of the powerful home nations.... It is on us to adjust/adapt not them!
Mike Hod
Roar Rookie
At risk of offending the author and probably most Australian rugby fans.... this sentiment is exactly why we are a rugby joke. I was brought up to be convinced that scrums should not have such a huge influence on the game (call it league influence) until spending ten winters in English rugby (where league is considered the joke) and slowly learning how important the scrum sets the platform for all winning rugby. I could not disagree more with this article and I urge the author and anyone reading this to consider changing their mind. If we do not we will continue to spiral down the pecking order in world rugby and the rest of the world will not care. Consider the sell out stadiums in Europe that all highly value scrum dominance and penalties, and think why on earth would these powerful rugby nations care what aussies think about scrums?
as92
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'm for changing the 5m line to a 10m mark too. I wouldn't know the first thing about tidying up the rolling maul, but a 10m drive of the rolling maul in its current state would at least be more deserving—and you're right about extra space allowing the attacking team to consider first phase play with their backs.
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
and remove the option for another scrum to be called on a free kick (or penalty for that matter). It's a free kick after all. I expect we'd see a lot of quick taps by the half, and a much faster game.
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
Hey KP Remove the rolling mauls from lineout within attacking quarter. That could work too. I favour changing the 5m line to a 10m mark. Has the double advantage of the defenders not in a lineout being 10 meters from a lineout, not 5. (The 5m scrum is getting less frequently called now thanks to the goal line drop out, adopted from league) PS I note your reference to the attacking quarter. Been a long time since union had a quarter line -- back when fields were measured in yards. :)
Daffyd
Roar Rookie
Hi Ben, yes you're right. The reward for a dominant scrum is to get the ball. Why would you want the ball? Because "William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran with it." The single identifying moment of the game.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Hookers mostly score from mauls created on the back of line-outs, so I can't see what that has to do with scrums.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Right so the rest of the world should fall into place because otherwise the fans of the team that couldn't make it out of the pool stage might watch something else.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
O course when the other team win the scrum then they are free to kick anyway. So you only loose that which you did not have in the first place