Uncontested scrums

Tammy Tiger · Post by **Tammy Tiger** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:43 am

I am really looking forward to the game against Wasps, however I hope the team spend some time thinking up plays to counteract uncontested scrums as if Wasps get through the game with a complete front row I would be very suprised.
Well done for yesterday, it was good to have the team back.

westwinds31 · Post by **westwinds31** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:52 pm

Tammy...how right you were !! Just when we were getting the upper hand....

fierysam · Post by **fierysam** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:29 pm

Tammy, I like you predicted uncontested scrums - I even predicted the timing of them. Stuart Barnes passed comment on the fact it 'seems like a tactical play'. Of course by going to uncontested scrums Wasps get to put a stronger defensive player on the pitch instead of their prop..... we in our sporting manner kept our front row on....... could be a law, but seems a bit unfair to me....

Adamspoon · Post by **Adamspoon** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:59 pm

Yea, spot on! I was very dissapointed by this bit of cynical play by Wasps. At the end of the day they were the better team and deserved the win but who knows, it might have ended differently if it wasn't for the uncontested scrums.

New laws are needed to cover this. A bigger bench with extra front rows should be brought in. Also, if the last specialist prop goes off and forces uncontested scrums, his side should not be allowed to bring a replacement on thus leaving them a man short.

yellow_balaclava_hunter · Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:02 pm

I hope Barnes puts that opinion in his match report.

The RFU really have to investigate it and should ask for the props to report to HQ for a physical assessment.

If they're found to be fit then Wasps should be deducted points from next season.

Headers · Post by **Headers** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:03 pm

If there are to be uncontested scums then it should run through the rest of the game and have uncontested rucks and mauls

, And turn the game into a game of rugby league

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:19 pm

My favourite RefLink comment yesterday was when Barnes told Corry that the scrums were going to have to be uncontested from now on.

Corry replied in disgust "Well we're f**ked then aren't we?"

yellow_balaclava_hunter · Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:32 pm

I was thinking about this when it happened to Munster against Saracans.

I came up with two possible law changes.

1. Extended subs bench made up of props and hookers.

2. If a team is unable to form a safe scrum through injury then the scrums with their put in are uncontested but the other team gets to choose scrum or lineout when they get the put in.

If a team is unable to form a safe scrum through a yellow card then once again their put in is uncontested but the opposition get the choice of scrum, lineout or tap and go.

smalldell · Post by **smalldell** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:35 pm

It was very cynical and obvious they had planned it. Unfortunately this has happened in the past and the powers that be have done nothing about it..

But in all fairness we lost the game in the first half.

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:38 pm

Well if they planned it they didn't plan it very well as the scrums had been quite even all game & we certainly hadn't been dominating.

Plus, Harry scored his try direct from the base of the very next uncontested scrum!

Surely if they had planned it, conceding a try from an uncontested scrum would have been a very silly part of that plan...

cornish_tiger · Post by **cornish_tiger** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:38 pm

Wasps was pushing us all over the place in the scrums yesterday, so i cant see why they would wanta "fake" injury.

Coby · Post by **Coby** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:31 pm

But 5 metres from their tryline, most would back us to drive over or get a penalty try. Maybe going to uncontested scrums made them think that i try is much more unlikely with "the best defensive player in the N.H" on the pitch

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:40 pm

On top form most may have backed us to do that, or against a weaker pack but we don't score anywhere near as many pushover tries now as we used to do & we hadn't threatened Wasps' line with a push over try on any previous occasion in the 59 mins of the game that had already elapsed!

Wasps were even, if not on top in the scrums prior to that point so there was little incentive for them to go uncontested at that point.

georgierockssocks · Post by **georgierockssocks** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:50 pm

It was all very very convenient for Wasp's and highly unfair if they were just playing it. It made me smile though when Harry got the try from the uncontested scrum, pure class.

KingKong(2.15) · Post by **KingKong(2.15)** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:23 am

It did kinda backfire for Wasps. Ellis would never have scored from a contested scrum. Also wasps should have had another man on that side of it defending.

Leicester Tigers

Uncontested scrums

Uncontested scrums

Very cynical