No scrum resets ever

[Chogan]

What opinions are out there if all scrums that ended unsuccessfuly were never reset.

As the scrum is firstly a method of restarting play and secondly a contest for possession, would there be any merit in awarding free kicks after every unsuccessful scrum to the team awarded the scrum? The option to scrum would also be taken away on these free kicks. Penalties at scrum time would still apply.

 

[Rit Hinners]

Sounds like that would be a strong motivation for the team awarded a put-in to make sure NONE of their scrums ended successfully.

What I don't understand is this strong movement away from having scrums. Is not the scrum supposed to be the most DEFINING feature of Rugby Union? However, we have this movement towards making the Union game look more like the League game.

Refs now encourage scrumhalves to dig for the ball when it is buried in piles of bodies. Every time this is allowed is one more scrum avoided. This avoidance has cut deeply into the number of scrums/game. The fewer scrums you have, the less likely coaches are to start FR players that are great scrummagers but not so great at running and handling. How many times did you blow the whistle for the ball being unplayable last season?

What we need are even more scrums so that coaches will sacrifice a bit of practice time away from running and handling and toward scrummaging and place a bit more selection emphasis toward good scrummaging front row players and away from wide bodies that are good at getting into the defensive line.

 

[Chogan]

A scrum is still the best attacking platform to launch from once you get the right side up etc... I don't want a move from scrums, just hate resets.

 

[didds]

Sounds like that would be a strong motivation for the team awarded a put-in to make sure NONE of their scrums ended successfully.

and an equally strong motivation for defending teams to do the same with attacker's scrums in their 22 to eradicate back row moves (especially blindside ones).

didds

 

[Chogan]

You would still be open to conceding a penalty from dropping a scrum deliberately.

 

[didds]

who said it was dropped?

didds

 

[Chogan]

Fair point.
I'd be looking to the attacking team to take advantage of a quick tap. It would require an iron fist when dealing with kicking the ball away etc...