Laws in general

[backnforward]

After over 35 years of playing rugby the old bones can't take much more! Now I am finding more time to actually sit and watch the game. However, I seem to grow more frustrated every year. Why? Poor players? Poor refereeing decisions?

Nope, it's more to do with the none-enforcement or relaxing of some of the rules. If we want to see our glorious game improve (as it has done from a player perspective since the coming of professionalism) I believe that referees should be told to address existing laws. The main 2 game killers at the moment in my opinion: -

Not binding at the scrum. If the flankers are not bound for the full length of the arm UNTIL the ball has left the scrum then it is a penalty. This would tie them in allowing the scrumhalf to move the ball out to the backs in the hope that the fly-half won't kick it. If a flanker is penalised 3 times for not binding then issue a yellow card for persistent infringments. Likewise, the number 8 must be bound on with both shoulders to the second-row. If the ball is at his feet and he removes even one shoulder, the ball is out and is fair game. If the ball is still with the second-row and the number 8 breaks his binding with one or more shoulders then he should be deemed as having left the scrum and be forced to retreat to line of the backs.

Offside at the ruck or maul. Players who deliberately stand in an offside position (in front of the hindmost player) and block the opposition players. Offside is a penalty infringement and should be penalised. Again multiple penalties by the same player is persistant infringing and merits a yellow card.

I could go on about the tackle area and crooked feeds into the scrum but will leave that for another day!

Any views?

 

[Olyy]

The scrum is definatley the one, it's gets beyond a joke sometimes, each scrum taking 3 or more minutes out of the game,
They should bring on a specialist scrum referee or one of the linesmen in so there's a referee on each side, or something

 

[lucky_number_7]

35 years.. nice one ..where did you play?

and as a Flanker its my job to bend the rules in my teams favour so the more lenient the ref is while playing the better

but yes i hate scrum time the props spend 2 or three minutes grunting away at each other and the poor refs dont know squat about whats happening in there i agree with ollie there should be a ref for scrummaging or something..

 

[bristol-iain]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Olyy @ Mar 25 2010, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The scrum is definatley the one, it's gets beyond a joke sometimes, each scrum taking 3 or more minutes out of the game,
They should bring on a specialist scrum referee or one of the linesmen in so there's a referee on each side, or something[/b]

I think the problem comes with the engagement, especially on wet pitches. The force that the front rows take when they impact is massive, the "crouch, touch, pause, engage" just doesn't work. I and surprised we have not had a serious neck injury suffered by a front row. This the easiest way is to go the rugby league way, let the scrum engage in stages, front row, locks, then 6,7 and 8.

Now obviously this will rid the game of a battle but in all honesty with the game reffed as it is is it much of a battle if the "losing" front row win penalty after penalty by some incompetent former back who knows less about from front row play than a cactus knows about a tsunami?

 

[Haysie]

...Brendan Cannon...

 

[backnforward]

Well as someone who predominantly played at 10 (with the occasional foray at 7) I would hate to see the demise of the scrum or, worse still, become like rugby league. It's bad enough at the moment with the crooked feed (which must be sorted out) but to advocate using the scrum as just a method of restarting the game as in league is proposterous. Both the scrum and lineout are integral parts of union and, whilst being means to restart the game, are contests that allow players of all shapes and sizes to take part in the game. To my mind it really is quite simple - if you don't like the scrum or lineout go play league.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (backnforward @ Mar 27 2010, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

It's bad enough at the moment with the crooked feed (which must be sorted out)[/b]

The solution is simple, if a little radical. Instead of a scrumhalf feeding the ball in, the referee places the ball on the ground and the two packs bind over it. If a pack pushes before the referee's signal, it's a free kick to the other team.

In one fell swoop the scourge if crooked feeds and resets scrums are solved.

 

[GazzaJAnimal]

I think the old way of setting the scrum should be reintroduced. As Ian McGeechan advocated in March's Rugby World, the front rows to engage first, with the other forwards binding on afterwards. The scrum can still be a proper contest.