From The Breakdown

[snowy]

Not sure if this has been posted but its a very interesting read

from The Guardian

Two of Wales's key games in the Six Nations were against England at Twickenham and France in Cardiff. The ball emerged from the scrum a mere seven times in the two matches, four in the first and three in the second. There was a period of 36 minutes at Twickenham from the end of the first quarter when there was not one scrum: in that time, there were 121 rucks/mauls. Wales had possession from the scrum on 14 occasions in the entire championship, compared with 47 in 2005, when they also won the grand slam.

[KK67]

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game. It's not really supposed to be an 'even contest' as one team will have committed a technical infringement in the first place to cause the scrum.

Personally, I prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible, so the more rucks and mauls there are the better the game will be.
Some people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that the game was dying on it's feet because of the kicking ping-pong that led to endless lineouts and/or scrums. The people who moan about resets seem to overlook that particular bit of rugby history.

[snowy]

Originally Posted by KK67

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game. It's not really supposed to be an 'even contest' as one team will have committed a technical infringement in the first place to cause the scrum.

Personally, I prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible, so the more rucks and mauls there are the better the game will be.
Some people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that the game was dying on it's feet because of the kicking ping-pong that led to endless lineouts and/or scrums. The people who moan about resets seem to overlook that particular bit of rugby history.

To me after over 50 years involvement with the game "The Ping Pong" was as bad as Clive Rowlands kicking in Wales v Scotland a lifetime ago

The difference is that after that game new laws were introduced to ban the non stop touch kick.

I must find the link to the complete article its a good read

[terminal2]

Originally Posted by KK67

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game. It's not really supposed to be an 'even contest' as one team will have committed a technical infringement in the first place to cause the scrum.

Personally, I prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible, so the more rucks and mauls there are the better the game will be.
Some people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that the game was dying on it's feet because of the kicking ping-pong that led to endless lineouts and/or scrums. The people who moan about resets seem to overlook that particular bit of rugby history.

A scrum is part of the game of rugby union.
A scrum is 'a way of restarting the game' as is 'scoring a try'
Perhaps we should just have the teams parade their sponsors shirts, with a team of judges then adjudicating the result.
Would remove all that dirty falling around nonsense.

[Sandydragon]

Originally Posted by terminal2

A scrum is part of the game of rugby union.
A scrum is 'a way of restarting the game' as is 'scoring a try'
Perhaps we should just have the teams parade their sponsors shirts, with a team of judges then adjudicating the result.
Would remove all that dirty falling around nonsense.

Damn right. The issue is not the number of scrums but the number of scrums that dont complete. The potential solutions to that have been discussed many times before.

The scrum remains an intengral part to the game. Without it we become more like Rugby League and at that point many supporters of union will call quits. If you want a game thats easier to understand, then the Suepr League is right up your street. if you want a sport where all different shapes and sizes can participate and there are many different ways to play the game and win then Union is a far more entertaining 80 minutes.

If any one doubts just how important a good scum can be on the outcome of a game, just rewatch the last England Ireland game.

[Sandydragon]

Originally Posted by KK67

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game. It's not really supposed to be an 'even contest' as one team will have committed a technical infringement in the first place to cause the scrum.Personally, I prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible, so the more rucks and mauls there are the better the game will be.
Some people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that the game was dying on it's feet because of the kicking ping-pong that led to endless lineouts and/or scrums. The people who moan about resets seem to overlook that particular bit of rugby history.

Actually it is hence the ball is supposed to be put in straight.

[Owain Glyndwr]

Originally Posted by Sandydragon

Actually it is hence the ball is supposed to be put in straight.

except it isn't even if the ball is put in straight since the team putting in has the hooker closest to the feed, so should get first go at the ball.

[KK67]

Originally Posted by Sandydragon

Actually it is hence the ball is supposed to be put in straight.

No,...it isn't.

The put in favours the side that hasn't committed a technical infringement.

[Spooony]

Originally Posted by KK67

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game. It's not really supposed to be an 'even contest' as one team will have committed a technical infringement in the first place to cause the scrum.

Personally, I prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible, so the more rucks and mauls there are the better the game will be.
Some people have short memories. It wasn't that long ago that the game was dying on it's feet because of the kicking ping-pong that led to endless lineouts and/or scrums. The people who moan about resets seem to overlook that particular bit of rugby history.

Ping pong kicking was a game plan and not part of any laws. Rugby has become possession based these days and sadly the tactical kicking game gets nullified more and more. Which is 1 of the reasons SA team is struggling more and more.

[Parsifal]

Originally Posted by KK67

In essence the scrum is just a way of restarting the game.

Whilst that is palpably true, the scrum is also a means of winning a game.