Comments on: How much difference did the new scrum laws make?

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 06:55:17 +0000

I’m delighted the squint feeds are being penalised. I find it difficult to understand why 9s find a straight feed so tricky! As an ex-hooker I’m looking forward to the modern-day hookers rediscovering the art and a better contest all round at scrumtime. Just hope refs maintain the focus and don’t let 9s slip back to old habits.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:26:50 +0000

…. Oh I should have added …. I agree with being pedantic about the straight feed. OK it didn’t add to the spectacle in these 2 games, if it continues to be enforced then SHs will start putting it in straight, if it’s not enforced they won’t. If non-straight lineout throws weren’t pinged how many would go down the middle?

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:22:39 +0000

Front rows not used to the new engagement sequences made it look a little awkward and scrum halves clearly had a bit of a ‘yeah right’ attitude on the straight feed going into the matches which they will now adapt to.

I thought it was an encouraging start, seemed to be fewer resets and Beast Mtawarira, known for his power/strength after the hit, seemed really prominent. To me this is how it should be, the stronger more powerful and technically proficient guy comes out on top and it isn’t all on a split second hit lottery.

I’m looking forward to seeing France scrum in the autumn, their scrum seems more about power after the hit and the second shove so think they may really prosper under these rules.

By: Liam

Liam — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 11:18:58 +0000

I think this article talks way to much about the put in, and not enough about the actual ‘crouch bind set’ sequence at the scrum, which is the prime matter at hand.

Judging by this weekend’s games is say that it has been a wholly positive development in the laws, and the result yeilds a lot less collapsed scrums, AND much more competitive moments.

After all I would say it has been years since a scrum went against the head without actually collapsing first.