Owen Doyle, a rugby enthusiast, argues that the current state of the scrum in professional rugby is a disservice to the sport. He criticizes World Rugby's ongoing law trials, which prioritize continuous play over the fundamental structure of the scrum. Doyle draws upon historical examples of successful Australian teams that utilized the scrum as a potent attacking platform.
Owen Doyle: Give the scrum back its purpose or risk damaging the Six Nations - and Australia’s regeneration.\The 2023 Six Nations is upon us, and while excitement for the tournament is high, a looming concern casts a shadow: the state of the scrum. Australia, a rugby superpower in the past, is facing a significant decline in participation and a struggle to attract new fans.
The upcoming Lions tour, and the hosting of both men's and women's World Cups present crucial opportunities for Australia to revitalize the sport. Dr. Brett Robinson, the newly appointed chair of World Rugby, faces a monumental challenge: to determine the future direction of the game. The current law trials, aimed at increasing continuity and ball-in-play time, while well-intentioned, may be taking the game too far from its core values.The scrum, a fundamental aspect of rugby, is often portrayed as a chaotic and messy affair. Referees struggle to decipher the intricacies of the contest, leaving them with the unenviable task of making crucial decisions based on limited visibility. The emphasis on continuous play has led to a reduction in scrum opportunities, a move that seems to disregard the inherent value of the set piece. Doyle argues that a well-executed scrum can be a potent attacking weapon, as exemplified by the 1991 Australian team's success under coach Bob Dwyer. Their use of a high-tempo offensive strategy, centered around the scrum, resulted in numerous tries and ultimately contributed to their World Cup victory.The current state of the scrum, however, is far from its former glory. Props often fail to properly bind, hookers struggle to gain control of the ball, and the overall process lacks the fluidity and precision that once characterized the set piece. The introduction of the rugby league goal-line dropout, a reward for holding up an opponent over the try line, further diminishes the scrum's importance. Doyle urges World Rugby to address these core issues and restore the scrum to its rightful place as a fundamental part of the game. He emphasizes that the game deserves better and that the future of rugby, particularly in Australia, hinges on the ability to revitalize this critical aspect of the sport.
RUGBY SCRUM WORLD RUGBY AUSTRALIA SIX NATIONS
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