Seven months after the Springboks sensationally elected for a scrum from a mark inside their 22-metre line during their run to a fourth Webb Ellis Cup, World Rugby has tweaked the law to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Springboks fullback Damian Willemse called for a scrum in the first-half against France during last year’s World Cup quarter-final.
The move was orchestrated by returning Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus, who believed France benefited from not wanting to play any rugby inside their half and not having to move around their forwards by scrummaging – a strength of South Africa’s.
Yet, for the neutral supporter, the move slowed down a game that rarely has more than 40 minutes of ball-in-play.
As such, World Rugby has made it illegal to call for a scrum from a free kick.
The law now states: “It will no longer be possible to choose a scrum from a free-kick. Free-kicks must either be tapped or kicked to encourage more ball in flow.”
The changes were a part of three permanent law changes confirmed by World Rugby on Thursday designed to make the game more watchable, which will come into force from July 1 ahead of the mid-year Tests.
Other changes concern kicks in open play, with the so-called ‘Dupont Law’ outlawed. By doing so, it will no longer be possible for a player to be put onside when an opponent catches the ball and either runs five metres or passes the ball.
The third change outlaws the ‘crocodile roll’, which concerns a defending player in the tackle area at the ruck.
World Rugby has made it illegal for teams to call for a scrum from a free-kick (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
In making the changes, World Rugby said it sought to “increase rugby’s accessibility and relevance among a broader, younger fanbase by embracing on-field innovation and reimagined presentation of the sport with compelling storytelling.”
Other changes part of a suite of six “closed law trials”, including 20-minute red cards, and shot clocks for scrums and lineouts, as well as a reduction from 90 second conversions to 60 seconds, will also be trialled during the under-20s World Championship.
Interestingly, throws that aren’t straight will only be policed if a lineout is challenged in the air. The move is designed to ensure back-to-back stoppages are limited, thereby sucking the oxygen out of the match.
“I would like to thank my colleagues from across the game for embracing the spirit of this comprehensive review of rugby’s entertainment factor,” said Bill Beaumont, the World Rugby chairman.
“With calendar certainty, including new competitions and all men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups set through to 2033, our major events are defined, our content set.
“There is unprecedented long-term certainty, and this work is vital to ensuring that the on-field product is befitting of the opportunities that we have in front of us, a superb sport that is enjoyable to play and watch and helps attract a new generation to get into rugby.
“Personally, I believe that the law amendments and suite of closed trials will add to the entertainment factor. As with all trials, we will comprehensively review their effectiveness and take feedback from across the game. The revised red card sanction process is such an example, and it is important that we trial, assess and make definitive decisions based on data and feedback.”
cs
Roar Guru
The real question will weaker scrums intentionally go down? Does the pope shlt in the woods?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Plenty mud still on boots
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
Most of the few types of short arms from scrums won't be an issue as they tend to be controllable by the stronger scrum. The main one for instance is pushing early. The weaker scrum a) won't want to push early as they're gassed, and b) can be controlled by the stronger scrum who can just meet the push as they know what the other team are trying to do. This rule will actually be good as the stronger scrum will have to stop risking pushing early (which they do to both tire the weaker scrum faster and try and max their advantage on the hit) so as to not give up their overall advantage, giving the weaker scrum a better chance to compete and ensure clean ball for open play.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Anyone see the TRC U20s final WB vs AB? It didn’t take long for that crocodile roll rule to make an impact. One yellow card and one blown out knee.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
" Bungling Billy' is at it again, & we'll no doubt see the overall outcome of another one of his stuff ups. No wonder he was given a harty round of ' Boooooo's ' at the presentation ceremony of the last RWC. TBH it's past the time he 'pulled the plug'. A previous good player, but now, a hopeless administrator.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Simple answer ..it would just encourage players to infringe more at scrum time especially if under pressure ...
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
:stoked:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Actually debatable between this game and Boks vs NZ at Ellispark.. Forget the year ..Many then called it the greatest ever ..But common denominator ..Yeah...The boring Boks :silly:
B
Roar Rookie
Scrum law change is rubbish - anyone who has played the game knows that the scrum is both a team v team and man versus man contest where both aspects come into play significantly and have definite impact on the game outcome. Scrums are a differentiating element to the game along with the lineout when thinking of the other rugby code; one team has the advantage of the put in or throw based on infringement however there is no guarantee of successful conversion of that initial possession. There must be a cohesive team effort to execute and take advantage of awarded possession. People want ball in play and no effort scrums go watch league, very simple. Time clock to get scrums done expediently is a good idea as delays and resets are a tactic that can be detrimental to the overall experience. The effort of World Rugby to turn rugby to league is concerning; the reason people play and watch rugby are the core elements of the game that differentiate it to league.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Teams are often penalized just for going backwards.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
I doubt bill Beaumont is worried about trying to make it like nrl or afl.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
The real question will weaker scrums intentionally go down? Imo highly unlikely as it is too dangerous. Scrums are never intentionally collapsed. The likely outcome for weaker scrums is they will try and get it in and out quickly. If they're going backwards their backs will get messy ball.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Not depowering, just saying you cannot win a penalty at a scrum and order another scrum.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
You have to have penalties for scrum infringements, I am only suggesting that options be restricted to exclude setting another scrum; kick for touch, up and under, goal or tap and run.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
No I don’t think so. It is more like only those whose teams are always dominant who love watching multiple scrums for no rugby purpose, other to secure a yellow card.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
It is still a penalty you just cant keep taking scrums until you get a card.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
It is not at all about depowering the scrum. It is about stopping a dropped ball being converted into five minutes of scrums and a numerical advantage. There is a substantial change from the past where scrum dominance was used to to obtain advantage not penalties.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Jeez I hate the wording of the article implying that" for the neutral fan Willemse's moved slowed the game down" No it didn't, itvwas the only bloody thing Rugbypass and the entire Twittersphere spoke about for days. It made the game amazing as itvwas already probably the fastest game see by humans in the last 30 years. France vs South Africa was hailed by most as the best game ever played and still there are "neutral" fans who wanted a faster game.
Ben
Roar Rookie
If WR is serious about speeding the game up it should ban the Haka.
Ben
Roar Rookie
It is a blight ONLY for those fans of teams with weak scrums.