Scrums create an open game for backs to exploit

RAYMOND Howell’s letter in last week’s Rugby Paper certainly raises some interesting issues over my article last week including whether or not I was describing the ability to learn how to cheat effectively when I mentioned learning the ‘dark arts’.

Nothing could be further from the truth, the ‘dark arts’ I was referring to are the changing of body angles to release or increase pressure on your opposition while maintaining a solid base for your second row to push on.

I sadly must admit that there was a lot in his letter about the game that I agree with though, like the lack of contest for the ball with hookers seeming no longer having to strike for the ball because it is now fed into the second row, even though the law still says the ball must be put in the tunnel straight.

I agree that there are too many substitutes but doubt coaches would accept a reduction as it gives them a ‘get out of gaol card’ if they have made wrong selections. Raymond is right about the truck and trail mauls, that would have seen the players in front of the ball carrier off side in the earlier game. While agreeing the scrum is a way to restart the game after an error made in open play it is fundamentally a way of creating space on the pitch by concentrating 16 of the 30 players in one small area. It also can create fatigue in some players, again freeing up more space to exploit by the backs and opens up the game.

Can you imagine if the scrum was removed and a tap and go brought in instead with all the players spread across the pitch using a rush/blitz defence with the potential for injury that would create? It is after all only since rush defence and clearing out was brought into the game that we have seen the increase in head injuries and in legal actions sought.

He is also naive if he really thinks getting rid of the scrum would reduce the size and power of players making the game more attractive to smaller players. In fact, it would probably make things worse for smaller players with more Jonah Lomu type players all over the pitch instead of in the scrum.

The scrum may be boring now, but it is still vital to create an open game where smaller, faster, more agile backs have the space to exploit and score.