Refs get tough on scrums, tackles

[travelling_gerry]

• From: AFP
• November 13, 2009 9:19AM

Under attack ... the Wallabies scrum during team training. Photograph: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph




THE International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a crackdown on scrum infringements and illegal tackles ahead of this weekend's internationals.


This week saw the global governing body stage a meeting of the world's top referees in London and chief among their concerns when it came to Test match rugby union were the issues of reset and collapsed scrums and illegal, off-the-ball tackles.

Now the IRB has promised stricter policing of illegal clearing out of players off the ball at the ruck and illegal tackles in open play.

The sight of scrums being repeatedly reset can prove baffling to even keen rugby fans, let alone newcomers to the sport, while denying a side with an edge in the set-piece a legitimate chance to press home their advantage.

In a statement, the IRB said an analysis of a cross-section of matches between leading rugby nations over the past three years has identified an increase in scrum infringements in this area at the highest level of the sport.





According to IRB statistics, international matches now average 18 scrums with an average of 18 collapsed or reset scrums. Average match time consumed by the scrum is currently 16 per cent and climbs as high as 25 per cent in some cases.

"The scrum is an integral part of the fabric of the game, providing a unique sporting spectacle and contest,'' said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset. "There is an obligation for referees and players to ensure that this critical area is played in accordance with law, while the promotion of player welfare is of paramount importance.

"The referees have been reminded of their obligation to penalise clear and obvious offences. Particular attention will be focused on front rows adhering to the engagement sequence, observation of the mark and the correct binding techniques.

"Addressing these key elements of scrum officiating will assist with reducing the number of resets or collapses.''

The IRB also insisted officials were committed to "stricter vigilance'' when it came to players being offside from kicks, illegal scrum feeds and obstruction at the formation of the maul.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225797226019

[GIGS20]

The scrum interpretations sounds like refs will be under pressure to find a culprit for all infringements, even though the majority of them are caused (at least in part) by both sides.

[James]

The problem with the scrums is that its convenient for both teams to drop the scrum either to negate the opposition advantage or to milk a penalty by claiming it was their fault. And then there are those pure accidents where to noones real fault the scrum just collapses. The smart move would be to have intense IRB scrum training for refs and to have the closest touch judge to come in and watch other side of the scrum to the ref.

[Burgs]

The photo has a flaw in it...

[Darren]

Baxter?

[Timbo]

The photo has a flaw in it...

I guess you mean the crease in the middle of the left hand side!

[TOCC]

pretty much if the scrum repetitively collapses on your own feed then it means the opposition has the dominant scurm and that the lesser team is been over powered.

[GIGS20]

Is that a rule interpretation?