Scrum Stats

[LeagueXIII]

Interesting stats on the number of scrums for 3 games of origin series:

1982 - 45 scrums

1986 - 54 scrums

1996 - 51 scrums

2006 - 48 scrums

So the number of scrums is still roughly the same as 20 odd years ago.

Whilst I know some people are mixed about having serious scrums or to continue with the pretend one's we currently have, I for one would like to see a return to putting the ball in the middle.
Scrums as they are today look stupid to the outsider, childish infact. They bring another dimension and tactics to the sport, as we are in serious danger of becoming one dimensional.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

I sat and watched replays of a couple of 1970's Grand Finals the other day. A couple at which I was present.

That's where contested scrums should stay, in history. Penalties, re-feeding cost time that is better spent these days.

 

[innsaneink]

You think you hate refs now? You think theres inconsistency now?

Wait till your team gets done thanks to a scrum penalty right in front 2 mins from time.
They had a bucketload of scrum penalties to choose from, and EVERY scrum most of those couldve been used...but then like now, there was no consistency.
Feet across all day and they dcide to give one 2 mins from time...hell.

 

[ledzep]

unnecessary
for all the talk about union scrums, i read somewhere that less than 1% were won agains the feed at the 03 world cup
a waste of time

 

[LeagueXIII]

I think alot of the negative scrum talk is a myth like most things to suit certain agendas. Surely packing 10-15 scrums prperly even just for the look is better than what we currently have. RL is not just about the NRL.

 

[*Paul*]

Should imagine more recent seasons would be similar, a significant drop. For the better, IMO, contested scrums were ugly, winning against the feed was more good luck than good management, and lots of penalties to be had.

Scrums 1980-2000
 1980  2499  138 18.11
 1981  2760  138 20.
 1982  3699  188 19.68
 1983  2816  189 14.9
 1984  2433  163 14.93
 1985  2735  163 16.78
 1986  2945  163 18.07
 1987  3172  162 19.58
 1988  3275  183 17.9
 1989  3032  183 16.57
 1990  3029  183 16.55
 1991  2874  183 15.7
 1992  2771  182 15.23
 1993  2722  182 14.96
 1994  2646  182 14.54
 1995  3155  229 13.78
 1996  3012  229 13.15
 1997  3098  237 13.07
 1998  3111  253 12.3
 1999  2787  213 13.08
 2000  2414  191 12.64

Penalties 1980-2000
 1980  2838  138 20.57
 1981  2965  138 21.49
 1982  3937  188 20.94
 1983  4149  189 21.95
 1984  3113  163 19.1
 1985  2907  163 17.83
 1986  2885  163 17.7
 1987  2727  162 16.83
 1988  3031  183 16.56
 1989  2683  183 14.66
 1990  2849  183 15.57
 1991  2511  183 13.72
 1992  2326  182 12.78
 1993  2418  182 13.29
 1994  2411  182 13.25
 1995  3163  229 13.81
 1996  3148  229 13.75
 1997  3212  237 13.55
 1998  3142  253 12.42
 1999  2505  213 11.76
 2000  2232  191 11.69

 

[russ13]

Contested scrums are are also dangerous places. Since their introduction there ahs been no spinal injuries.

RL scrums should be see as what they are-a play restart without the forwards clogging-up the back line.

The real tragedy is that the backs don't use that oportunity more.

 

[Utey]

I remember in the 01 Semi vs Broncos, we won it against the loose head and feed. It was pretty awesome.

 

[Simo]

You think you hate refs now? You think theres inconsistency now?

Wait till your team gets done thanks to a scrum penalty right in front 2 mins from time.
They had a bucketload of scrum penalties to choose from, and EVERY scrum most of those couldve been used...but then like now, there was no consistency.
Feet across all day and they dcide to give one 2 mins from time...hell.

That would be a differential penalty though wouldnt it and as such right in front or not you cant go for goal.

As for bringing them back.....im not sure I would have to look back at older games. I do know however that i like having them so you get all the forwards out of the way for some 1 on 1 backline action....just wish they would do more set moves of the scrums like the old days for some more excitement than just a centre taking it up.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Sure, scrums were ugly back in the 1970's etc but surely with a bit of effort we can get it right. At least tidy them up. I am getting sick of seeing a big forward take the ball up from 5/8 after a scrum, and this is called tactics? We need to bring the skill and unpredictability back into the way the game is played.
Watch old games from the 80's and 70's and they had brilliant set plays from scrums and tap restarts, things we should never have lost.
One of my favourite moves, not from a scrum, was a move by the Bears called America and a variation called Canada, absolutely brilliant. Also a Raiders move from a scrum where they hold the ball in the scrum catch the defence moving up. When the defence goes back they move the ball to a run around centre field and onto a flying Mullins coming into the line.
What have we got today, 5 hit-ups (not very skilful) a kick and hope for a mistake or a repeat set (are these the only tactics today?), it's becoming too stereotyped. To us the converted we will always love the game no matter what, but it is the neutral supporter we need to make the game attractive to.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

It's a retrograde step and it won't happen.

Watch a game of Union and you'll see why.

League has evolved into a faster, more attractive game that it was in the 1970's and 1980's. Union has stood still and is currently choking on it's own determination to not become more like League.

I don't want to go back to the days when the bloke with the whistle was always in the thick of the action and more than a few games are decided by scrum penalties. Bringing back contested scrums will do exactly that.

 

[Paullyboy]

People who say scrums should return are the same as people who say kicking duels should return.

In their mind they remember them as being good, but geez they are a boring waste of time which thankfully have nothing to do with the modern game.

(For the record, I know they are contested now, but you know what i mean)

 

[T-Boon]

Does anyone know the NRL historic stats for scrums -as in when they were a contest what was the % of wins against the feed?

 

[Bazal]

Does anyone know the NRL historic stats for scrums -as in when they were a contest what was the % of wins against the feed?

69%