This is a serious question from a past Rugby League fan, in my younger years, now turncoat AFL fan. Why are scrums such a joke now? They are always a feed into the 2nd row or the locks feet. Rugby Union can still put down a scrum that is a contest for the ball. If they were replaced with a simple change over, would it improve the game?
James
My opinion is that its to easy to forget all the delays & penalties that were handed out because of scrums. Back in the "good old days", there would be a penalty for incorrect feed, not square, not packed, feet across the scrum, lock not packed, pushing to early, screwing the scrum around.......and on .... and on.... and on............
So to improve the game (which it has) the scrums are basically uncontested, so really its only your opinion that they're a joke.
Now I dont like uncontested & do find them a blight on the game in the current format, but smarter men than me are controlling the game & besides I tend to look at them as attacking opportunities.
As far as rugby scrums, really.....? I've never studied it (terrible game to many stoppages) but the games i have watched, a high percentage are decided by penalties (ok i know thats the points issue) & i suspect a lot of scrum penalties. Sure its a contest but there are also a lot of infringements & league has always been a faster game.
I think scrums should be considered as a chess analogy, its strategy & opportunity......and hey it gives the players a bit of a break