The scrum has collapsed. That is not just a statement on the endless time-wasting and confusion among players and referees that brings half the scrums in the modern game to their knees – it is a statement about the survival of the scrum as a sacrosanct part of Rugby Union.
The scrum in its current form is being slammed from all sides – and it deserves to be. The main reason is that watching front row forwards and their pack colleagues take a knee, have a rest and a drink – as well as a chat with a water-carrier coach – is as boring as watching paint dry.
When, eventually, they are coaxed into forming a scrum by the referee, the purgatory for fans continues when it collapses in a heap and has to be reset.
This can happen three or four times more before the referee spots a front row technical infringement and awards either a penalty or a free-kick.
The upshot is that the scrum is incomplete, and often adds nothing to the contest, and yet players rush in from all corners of the pitch, to back-slap a prop or hooker lucky enough to win the penalty lottery.
By that time, four or five minutes of the match have been wasted. There have been suggestions that a way of handling these Mogadon minutes is to stop the clock, but that is not a viable solution unless you are interested in matches that last for 180 minutes, rather than 80, because it does not discourage the dawdling.
The Rugby Paper’s postbag, as well as comment forums on rugby social media, is overflowing with complaints from supporters who are deeply disillusioned with the degrading of the scrum, especially the recent law change that allows crooked or ‘favourable’ put-ins, when the scrum-half is able to sidestep towards his own hooker.
Denne historien er fra April 19, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 19, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
