rossie wrote: I think they could utilise the 4th official at scrum timd also. Imo he cud enter field of play and monitor blindside of scrum. Its amazing how scrummaging problems shift when the ref goes around the other side.

I'm far from a scrummaging expert but in fairness monitoring the blindside has to be the touch judge's responsibility. Most scrums are well within their line of vision. However, you can count on one hand the number of referees who liaise with their touch judges in this aspect. Most tj's are as redundant as the lads standing behind the end line in soccer.

A positive example of tj involvement was against Ulster when the touch judge made a call against Rodney for not binding against Ulster, it was plain as day but Peter Fitzgibbon was busy the other side and couldn't see it. However, against Glasgow the scrum half was feeding the ball deep into the 2nd row with the linesman standing two yards away. Just two recent examples.

The present officials working efficiently rather than more officials is whats needed to manage the scrum imo. Also having two 'scrum refs' in a small space makes it more difficult to get clean ball away and cuts down the blind side resulting in more scrappiness and ultimately more scrums.

The current messing at scrum time is a major turn off.

I have not seen a straight feed into a scrum in years, the word hooker should be obsolete. If it changes next year I would be amazed, not sure that scrum halves know that the ball should be put in straight !

rossie wrote: I think they could utilise the 4th official at scrum timd also. Imo he cud enter field of play and monitor blindside of scrum. Its amazing how scrummaging problems shift when the ref goes around the other side.

Good idea. If the 4th official's already used (due to injury) then rope in the tv match official to watch the "other" side.

I think they could utilise the 4th official at scrum timd also. Imo he cud enter field of play and monitor blindside of scrum. Its amazing how scrummaging problems shift when the ref goes around the other side.

The only problem with the scrum is at the elite level. this is quiet simply down to the fact that the refs wont abide by the laws that are there.

Saying that there are stronger forces at work is a cop put as the relative forces competing with each other are similar at J1 and elite.

Its straight forward enough. Insist that the props bind properly, insist that they scrummage straight, insist that they do not try to beat the calls and engage early and insist that the SH feeds straight.

If they do not comply with the above - penalise them, if they repeat infringe YC.

The problem arises because the elite refs abdicate their duty and then the players know that they can get away with it.

There are few issues with the scrum at J1 or J2 level because the refs at that level inforce the laws.

Its amazing how quick a player will learn after a few pens and a YC.

That said I await some videos showing the new laws in action.

rossie wrote: The irb have announced the global trial of the crouch bind set engagement sequence at scrum time. In summary instead of touching the props will bind with their outer arms before engaging . Its expected to reduce impact by 25%. In addition the head of referees has announced that the straight feed will be strictly reffed.
This comes into play for next season. I think its a positive step. Thoughts?

Theres a full press release from irb if someone wants to post it here.

There's hope for Rodney yet!

About time too. Sometimes the scrums are a farce.
Regarding the feed, I have been told from higher sources that the feed is not as strictly enforced in top level rugby as the referees are just happy to get a decent scrum.
Some of the feeds are shocking though. Nearly as bad as rugby league.

Delighted if they actually monitor the feed. Its getting stupid at this stage. I see feeds going straight to the second row these days. If they're going to allow this, just scrap the scrum, and allow the team a tap and go free instead. At least the game would keep flowing.

The irb have announced the global trial of the crouch bind set engagement sequence at scrum time. In summary instead of touching the props will bind with their outer arms before engaging . Its expected to reduce impact by 25%. In addition the head of referees has announced that the straight feed will be strictly reffed.
This comes into play for next season. I think its a positive step. Thoughts?

Theres a full press release from irb if someone wants to post it here.