should scrums be a contest

[Jae]

I think the lead up to the scrum is one of the most boring parts of rugby union (and that's saying something) so I'm not sure if I'd want rugby league to be like that. However, I do think as they stand scrums are completely useless and the few times a team has tried to contest the scrum they usually stop it and make them re-set it.

 

[nqboy]

no way!
we need them to have set plays for backs but that's all.
why waste time re-setting scrums & who wants games decided by scrum penalties? f*ck that! leave it as it is!

Gregstar, I've spoken to you before about posting serious thoughts. Last chance champ.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Make it that you can only take a tape from a scrum penalty.

 

[fieldo]

They got rid of the contest in scrums in the 80's because of risk of spinal injuries.....we do not want that back......RU scrums are obsolutely sh.. and they are dangerous....pack too many times and are a pain in the rear end. I love league scrums for there tradition and the fact they are over and done with (except when S Clarke referees)

 

[JoeD]

Keep scrums, but don't make them a contest. However actually police the off side at scrums. Scrums might actually be an advantage then. How often do players get tackled behind the line of the scrum?

It's ridiculas how the refs coach the players

I agree, refs should just shut up, throughout the whole game. If somebody is doing something wrong - penalise them, don't warn them. If they implemented this policy you might get an increase in penalties for the first few weeks, but soon everyone would learn to be onside by themselves. Same with backchat. They should have a zero tolerance policy on back chat, If you're not the captain don't talk to the ref or you'll be penalised. Every time, not just sometimes.

Another thing they need to clear up is taking a quick tap from a penalty. Is there any rule regarding this other than taking it from the mark? I think in fairness to everybody quick taps should be outlawed. It seems at the moment that it is pure luck (or bad luck if you're the defending team) as to whether the ref lets you take a quick tap or not.

[/rant]

 

[gregstar]

Make it that you can only take a tape from a scrum penalty.

i think it's pretty obvious what a bunch of footballers would do with a tape
"mine's bigger!"

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Get rid of them all together and just play the freakin ball.

You can beat its been discussed but its basically touch footy with kicking, if you get rid of scrums!

 

[Balmain_Boy]

I hate this attitude that scrums are pointless if they are not competitive. It is one of rugby league's greatest falsities. Scrums offer a chance for set plays, and for backs to strut their stuff. Granted, often it is just the 5/8 or a winger hitting it up, however against the roosters the scrum allowed the tigers to put on a set piece that resulted in a match turning try.

 

[bulldog]

no way!
we need them to have set plays for backs but that's all.
why waste time re-setting scrums & who wants games decided by scrum penalties? f*ck that! leave it as it is!

Exactly, they may not be pretty but they do take the forwards out of the equation for 1 play, letting the backs have a little more freedom to spread the ball and challenge opposition players 1 on 1, a well worked scrumbase maneuver is brilliant to watch.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

It's a integral part of our game that wont go anywhere atleast I for one hope it doesnt!

 

[Knightmare]

We need fair scrums again, or what's the point of having them? 2 years ago I was playing in a school footy match and before the game the ref told us that wins against the scrum feed would be penalised. :? :x If I'd been the captain that day I would've told our boys to not even bother wasting any energy in the scrums. Doesn't that "ruling" defeat the whole purpose of having a scrum? If they're not going to change scrums, we might as well just have a tap to start play.

 

[gaterooze]

The game is better to watch now than it ever was, and having *quick* scrums is part of that. I wouldn't like to see it go backwards.

 

[Frailty]

We need fair scrums again, or what's the point of having them? 2 years ago I was playing in a school footy match and before the game the ref told us that wins against the scrum feed would be penalised. If I'd been the captain that day I would've told our boys to not even bother wasting any energy in the scrums. Doesn't that "ruling" defeat the whole purpose of having a scrum? If they're not going to change scrums, we might as well just have a tap to start play

That is not a ruling you can win against the feed still.

The rule stil states the ball must go into the tunnel, it doesnt say directly in the centre of the tunnel. So thats why there is little contention

The idea of the scrum was to get the forwards out of the way to play some open football with the backs.

I agree, refs should just shut up, throughout the whole game. If somebody is doing something wrong - penalise them, don't warn them. If they implemented this policy you might get an increase in penalties for the first few weeks, but soon everyone would learn to be onside by themselves

You sir are an idiot! There is a thing called advantage... how many times has a player been called offside and left a gap leading to a try. But hey lets just penalise them aye? You are a deadset fool and have no idea how to referee or let alone know the rules.

 

[bender]

I also vote to bring them back.

They dont need to be set a million times, if they arent set right the first time, give the ball to the opposing team.

They cant result in penalty athons because they are differentials (though i think the differential should be replaced with a handover as was succesfully trialled a few, well actually many now, seasons back).

The biggest thing about a contested scrum is that they can turn matches and make the game more flowing and attacking. Wingers must drop back to protect the ball from being kicked into touch (because it often means losing possession). This takes defenders out of the line and encourages attacking football. Players are not afraid to try offloads and flickpasses because dropping the ball and making one error is not always as costly as it is currently.

Even big fat slow lumbering forwards (not that i think they will appear) are not as bad as it would seem. They open the game up for the slower more mobile players to target and run around, particularly late in the game, much like the lack of interchange used to.

 

[JoeD]

There is a thing called advantage... how many times has a player been called offside and left a gap leading to a try.

yeah that happens every now and then. I'm not talking about playing advantage, you can pla yadvantage and keep your mouth shut. I'm talking about consistency. Sometimes a ref will call a player offside to warn him and sometimes he won't. Thats inconsistent.

 

[Mr Saab]

i dont want 2 minutes wasted with repeat feeds, and hookers kicking at each other.

Scrums are there to give the players a 30 sec rest as they walk to the scrum. Sometimes they have set moves. Best i can recall were 1994 semi canb vs cant...mullins scored.
Then in 1996 the sharks copied the exact move vs the broncos in a semi when peachey scored.
99% of the time no move is executed but thats fine. This is 2005 not 1975.

 

[simostorm]

Although what I like about scrums is sometimes you get a big fight break
out between the forwards.

 

[Renowned League Expert]

I hate this attitude that scrums are pointless if they are not competitive. It is one of rugby league's greatest falsities. Scrums offer a chance for set plays, and for backs to strut their stuff. Granted, often it is just the 5/8 or a winger hitting it up, however against the roosters the scrum allowed the tigers to put on a set piece that resulted in a match turning try.

Bingo. That's exactly what I was about to post -- scrums offer teams unique opportunities to attack whilst the forwards are busy sniffing each other's armpits.

I don't think teams take enough advantage of these opportunities.

 

[Renowned League Expert]

watched 76 gf between manly & parra the game was slow as but one thing was great a contest in the scrum, it did not have the technique of a rugby scrum but they pushed, and it was a great contest, just wondering who would like the scrum to be a contest again.
it would make the game more exciting.

winnyason: i've been after that game for ages. Did you see it on video or DVD?

 

[ngunity]

I hate this attitude that scrums are pointless if they are not competitive. It is one of rugby league's greatest falsities. Scrums offer a chance for set plays, and for backs to strut their stuff. Granted, often it is just the 5/8 or a winger hitting it up, however against the roosters the scrum allowed the tigers to put on a set piece that resulted in a match turning try.

Bingo. That's exactly what I was about to post -- scrums offer teams unique opportunities to attack whilst the forwards are busy sniffing each other's armpits.

I don't think teams take enough advantage of these opportunities.

Agree with both of the above

A scrum is basically a farcical sideshow to put the forwards away from play and give the backs a chance to do something, maybe even something planned. Panthers put a nice try on Melbourne tonight when Preston had room to dance near the line with no big forwards coming to stomp him.

I'd like to see scrums contested a little more, maybe if they were set a little better so the front lines were actually leaning forward not standing 85% straight and the halfback had to feed the centre of the scrum, not his lock :roll: it could be done. > can't make it like a Rugby scrum which is obviously the best 'scrum' in a contest sense, but at least it keeps the forwards out to mix things up