Law Discussion: Fixing the scrum iii

Earlier this week we spoke of the scrum problem and invited readers to send in their ideas/suggestions. We then published the ones we had received and now publish another three.

1. Steyn Enslin

As a former tighthead I don’t agree with most of these arguments.

Firstly, the hit is such a big part of the technique it would be a shame if it’s ruled out. It’s what gives the underdog scrum the opportunity to still win a scrum and is beautiful to watch. It’s what I look forward to most in each game. You can feel the awesome power released and I can admire that aspect. Can you imagine a game where each scrum is won by the same team – because this is what it will boil down to if you remove the hit since the outcome will purely be based on strength, and the heavier or stronger scrum should win every ball? 

However I do agree that the ball should be put in straight. The hit should only give you the bind/balance advantage. Teams should not be allowed to scrum before the ball is put in. I recommend a pause after the hit, but it need not be ruled by the ref as such. It happens automatically, i.e. the scrummie should refuse to put the ball in when the scrum is moving, or get blown up if he does. and when this happens the team moving forward prematurely to be penalised with a free kick to the opposition.

I agree that the biggest problems with collapsing is A. The bind and B. strategy. In my day I’ve won a number of penalties by being sneaky, i.e. pulling it down when the ref has already warned the opposition loosehead and we are in an attacking position. However this should be spotted by competent referees / assistant referees.

The solution – penalise for not binding or binding incorrectly or hand touching the ground (only when the ball is already in the scrum), but award free kicks when scrums collapse. When a prop is clearly scrumming illegally – he should be penalised with a full penalty.

In summary, resets will always be part of the game because of the very nature of the scrum, but can be minimised with good refereeing, and by being strict on A. Not pushing before the ball is put in B. Putting it in straight C. The binding and D. hitting square. These rules were followed when I was playing and we didn’t have nearly as many problems as there are today.

I’m sure most guys with front row experience will agree with me on this.

2. John McClendon, New Mexico, USA.

Gentlemen, I am so pleased that someone has finally raised this topic for some reasonable discussion. 

Our current scrum mess came into our sport rather recently with many other bad practices. I was a referee in the late 80’s when this started after being a player, team captain, coach, etc., for almost 20 years. I was astonished at players telling me, the ref, that they could now skew the service to the scrum, slam together and keep shoving at the scrum engagement,

Here is my input.

A. It is painfully obvious that the slam together and shove and throw the ball in quick before the scrum gets out of control is wrong and dangerous. Return to the days of set scrums and scrummage technique.

Eliminate the hard charge as dangerous play and no shove until the ball is put into the scrum. Let the front rows engage from a close distance, led by the tight head from the side putting in the ball. No calls from the ref. He should ensure that they are close and straight then ask for the scrum to begin. If the ref is to call it should be, crouch, bind, engage.

B. Jerseys that can be grasped. Not the tight plastic crap that has been given to us by advertisers and suppliers. The current players would welcome those fine woven cotton shirts like Halbro and Umbro, etc. used to supply. And no more billboard style ads on the jerseys, rubbish that no one wants to collect or display.

C. Require the referees to enforce the laws and not tolerate players telling the officials what is allowed. No power hit. Bind and shove straight. No shove until the ball is put into the scrum. No illegal disruption on the opposition ball.

I sincerely hope that this discussion will result in some badly needed changes in our fine sport. If only the powers-that-be will get the message and stop their idol worship of the professional players and their desire for a game of brute force and brute mentality.

Thanks again for getting this talk going.

3. Nev Gunn, Canada

This year we have had instructions from the IRB to apply certain aspects of the law as they were intended to be applied. Perhaps it would be a good idea to do the same for the scrum. Let’s start with binding in the right places, putting the ball in straight and having the scrum square and steady. If we did just that, things would improve.

That is not a lot to ask.

I note that we are concerned that if we do not get the scrum adequately sorted out, we shall no longer have a game for all shapes and sizes. I pout it to you that we are well on the way to having a game that is not suited to all shapes and sizes.

We have centres with the dimensions of the locks of yesteryear and scrumhalves who look and behave like flanks. On the other hand more and more we want props and hookers who can run around like backs. Lifting in the line-out means we no longer need the tall jumper the way we used to. In fact the tall lifter could just be of more use than a tall jumper.

We are rapidly becoming a game for one size – one size fits all.

If we sorted out the scrum and stopped artificially creating space for clumsy scrumhalves and barging centres, perhaps we could get back to being a game for all shapes and sizes, prizing the nimble man as much as the strong man.

4. Geraint Roberts, Wales

Peter Shortell of Cheltenham speaks of the need for clothing that allows gripping. Now that really is sensible. Surely manufacturers can be instructed to make rugby shirts of a grippable material.

Secondly, it cannot be too hard to see that the gripping is done in the right place, i.e. on the back or the side – not on the sleeve, chests or bicep.

It cannot be too hard for a referee to see if a player is pulling down. If his binding arm forms a V he is pulling down. Part of pushing is pulling. He will pull with his binding arm and if that is a V pointing down, he will be pulling down.

This is not hard for a referee to see even from the far aside of the scrum, but then he needs to bend occasionally. It’s not a bad idea to bend and not something hard to do, given the youth and fitness of the modern referee.