Uncontested scrums?

Question

I've asked this question through the yahoo International rugby club group. Does anyone here have an opinion?

In a recent article published in the British Medical Journal a

"Leading Surgeon has called for contested scrums to be outlawed in the

union game.

"It's a question of safety," said Bourke, who was club doctor for

Nottingham Rugby Club for 30 years.

"I originally subscribed to contested scrums, but having experienced

the consequences of two young men needing to be in wheelchairs as a

result of collapsed scrums, I have been forced to change my view."

Highlights of the article can be found here.

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/060526/2/jvb7.html

As a prop, here's my view:

Rugby is a contact sport, everyone that takes to the field knows the

risks involved. The scrum is a vital part of the game and making it

uncontested defeats the object of it. I get really p****d off with "Do

gooders" interfering with sport. Next they'll be telling boxers they

are not allowed to hit each other.

Answer 1

I completely agree with the first two answers... being a winger i havent got any direct experience with the scrum besides a few bits n pieces of games as a flanker, but it is an intregral part of the game of rugby union. take that away and the game would more evolve to somehting like rugby league, where they do have an uncontested scrum... Everyone stepping onto the pitch knows the risk they take and if they dont, they shouldnt be there. It is part of the coaches duty to make sure he has a decent pack and the ref should be in contorle and spot any dangerous issues. Having the pleasure of a great pack in my team, i realise the difference it makes in the loose work if the scrum is good & tough... it can wear out the opponent and thus help win the game.

Answer 2

Scrums will become piontless and boring like in rugby league were they are not contested. I do think Junoirs need to be Trained more on correct techniques and the risks invloved.

Answer 3

As a huge rugby fan, I can honestly say that there are few things better than two packs going head to head in a contested scrum. It really is a thing of beauty. When two teams like the All Blacks and the Springboks take each other on in a scrum, it makes the game awesome!

To take it away from the game of rugby would be a travesty of justice.

The injuries are indeed an unfortuante aspect of the game but through better education of the correct scrumming technique, the injury count would be dramatically lowered.

Answer 4

I agree.  It is part of the sir's job to maintain the safety of the game, so if there is a problem and one of the packs has no freaking clue what they are doing (which is what causes 99.9% of collapsed scrums) then they can fix the problem.  But to outlaw all contested scrums is obsurd.  

I hook and the only time I have felt even the slightest unsafe is when playing against a team with a forward pack that is unexperienced.  Oh, and when the Chicago Women's team desides to put their tight head at hook against me (Hi Robin!).  She doesn't have a clue and ignores the ball in favor of crushing her scull against my collar bone and kicking the c**p out of my shines.  Actually, she stole those moves from me!:)

I don't wish to downplay the serious injuries that Dr. Bourke has described, however 2 such injuries with one club over 30 years does not scream drastic measures.

Bottomline:  Rugby players play at will.  They understand the risk involved and are willing to take it.

Answer 5

Yes you may be correct with all your information, but with specialised strength training.  The improvements they have made and the amount of training they do makes today's rugby prop very strong.  You only have to look at the difference in weight of a prop in the 1980's to today.  They are bigger and stronger and even the force they put behind a scrum machine is enormous.  They are athletic running freight trains on wheels.  They shape of the game has changed with so much specialist training.  All the forwads and backs are bigger and its so much more confrontational.  No neck is made to handle the huge amount of physical stress placed on them.  No matter how strong, how carefully your managed, it is dangerous.

Answer 6

Check the stats on American Football, and it's huge, people accept risks when playing sports.  I have never met arugby player who never expected to get hurt.  It happens, deal with it.

Answer 7

Sorry to say but do think that the game should be left we cannot look at the percentages rather than numbers of actual problem compared to getting drunk and brawling in the street.

It Should be controlled and guy's should be fit to play the game.

Answer 8

if they outlaw the contested scrum and chang it with uncontested there will be no point. the idea of the scrum is a test of strength over who can win the ball.

Answer 9

Yea uncontested scrums are good if your over 50 and playing golden oldies rugby. You need the physical for pure entertainment and to psyche out the opposing team, if you put the heat on the opposing team in the scrum then your half way towards winning the game. If there is no contact in the scrum then why have forwards, any back can get in there and then the fat guys will never be picked in any teams.

Answer 10

I was a tight end prop in the Chicago area RFC's for four years.  I ran into alot of inexperienced front fives due to the teams not running proper drills with their packs in practice.  I have been injured a few times by collapsed scrums, and it can get very frustrating.  Yet, it is a mainstay of the game- rugby would not be the same competition without the scrum.  

     One way to deal with inexperience in a scrum, I luckily saw in action during a match, is to go arms length.  The sir in this match watched our opponents collapse three times, and he had enough.  After he threatened to go unapposed, he declared that each prop had to pregrip high on the opposing prop's shoulder.  This shortened the engage distance, and made it easier for the opposing packs to engage.  This is a good tool to use when there seems to be problems between packs.

Answer 11

I don't think so. However Rugby League functions with uncontested scrums and i think there are too many turnover in Union anyway. If nothing else it would mean less injuries and more rest for fowards.