Scrums

[andywg]

I know most people are not into rugby, being as watching girls fall over is more interesting for the general chav population, but I thought I would post this Guardian article up as it is a good discussion on the safety (or not) of the scrum in Rugby Union.

A synopsis of the article follows for those to lazy for teh clicky:

As most people will be aware, a scrum can be bloody dangerous. Deaths used to occur, and only a year or so ago, despite making the front row positions specialist and allowing uncontested scrums, a promising young prop was left paralysed from the neck down when a practice scrum collapsed. So why are they allowed?

Well, James Bourke, a former Nottigham RFC doctor isn't sure they comply with the health and safety act due to the risk. He does forget just how many scrums take place without deaths.

He also hasn't looked at the figures. In Australia between 1997 and 2002 rugby accounted for 23 severe spinal injuries of which seven were scrum related. What does this tell us? It tells us that 16 of them came from outside the scrum, most likely the tackle area. Does he want to see that banned as well?



I personally don't think scrums should be banned, but then I am biased being as I am a prop in training. To me it is one of the fundamentals of the game. Remove scrums and you have pretty much created rugby league. Remove the tackles as well and the players might as well start wearing sarongs and receive training in how to fall over.

The dark days of throwing a winger in the scrum to stop losing a game are gone, both captains and the ref can instigate uncontested scrums at all levels if it is considered unsafe (including where the pitch is like the Sommes and a risk of drowning is present).

As I stated at the outset, it's of minority interest, but it is warming for me to see that the fat blokes' part of the game should stay for some time. And here's to my first competitive scrum where I found out just how much fun the front row is (despite being the club's smallest prop of recent times).

Andy

 

[timmystood]

I used to play rugby at county level for 3 years (until I smashed my arm to bits)... I was second-row so I was always in the scrums and too me they are fine, like you say it creates the game!

 

[k.o.d]

I played rugby for many years, at a good level in my youth. I always played second row too and understand the training required.

If you took scrums away it would be a retrograde step.

Unfortunately in this litigious society, the fun of sport is being eroded as people worry more about potential damages claims that about enjoying themselves.

There is an element of risk in anything we do, I would hate to think that people would be made to stop something that makes a sport so enjoyable

As an aside, the majority of my job is in safety, so I do have a balanced view

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

Well,
I too played rugby at school and to scottish schools level when younger, I played tight head prop, and was never (badly) injured in any scrum. My serious rugby playing was ended when my knee cap was jumped on when I was on the ground after being tackled, and pushed round the side of my leg (very painful), I had ligament damage and couldn't do any sport for over 6 months!!
I now play occasionally for my work and also play 5 a side footie every week. I want to play more rugby but can't afford any time off for injuries, so I am limited to what I do now.
As for banning scrums, that is the most ridiculous thing I have heard for a long time, they would be better off banning spear tackles, which cause far more injuries and still go on even in international games (remember the lions against the all blacks last year?).

 

[scubadoo]

Well,
they would be better off banning spear tackles

UMMMMMM........ they are banned. I appreciate they do still occasionally happen, but they have been outlawed.

For those of you out there a little older, they also banned one of the favourite penalty moves of the 60's & 70's - the flying wedge. A guaranteed try scorer from 5 yards!

As for banning scrums well that would just be ridiculous, we'd end up with the chicken scratch they call a scrum in league! Dont get me wrong, scrums are not for the fainthearted or weak necked, but if fit and trained for the position I can see no reason why it shouldn't continue as one of the great dark arts. More serious neck injuries are likely to occur at the breakdown at the moment when all players are supposed to remain on their feet and end up in vulnerable bridging positions.