Eddie Jones, ever the provocateur, has thrown another verbal grenade into the rugby world, claiming that World Rugby has it out for the scrum. This bombshell dropped after he witnessed the Springboks' sheer dominance over Argentina in Durban—a match where the scrum, historically a Springbok stronghold, seemed under siege by new rules. According to Jones, these changes are an underhanded move to neutralize the Boks' scrum power.
While guesting on the Rugby Unity podcast, the outspoken coach didn't mince his words.
"That first [Springbok] scrum, if that’s not a penalty… he [the referee] says you’ve got to go up both sides, but it looked like they were going up both sides – the only thing that didn’t go up was the turf in the ground,"
Jones argued, suggesting a refereeing bias aimed at diluting the scrum's impact. He went further, insinuating that there's a concerted effort to "take the scrum out of the game," whether overtly or covertly.
Despite the alleged officiating slant, the Springboks had little trouble dispatching Argentina with a thumping 67-30 scoreline, thanks to a flurry of tries that showcased their attacking prowess. However, Jones pointed out that the real key to South Africa's recent success wasn't just their dazzling runs but their strategic boots. "Their two best attacking games have come on the back of their best kicking games," he noted, underscoring the effectiveness of tactical kicking in modern rugby.
Indeed, Jones highlighted a rather intriguing statistic that aligns with his observations:
"One of the most consistent winning metrics – and these data analytics guys can predict close to 99.9% of the Tests – is kicking metres, by a mile."
This insight punctuates the evolving nature of international rugby, where kicking strategy often dictates terms.
Meanwhile, the Boks' towering presence and tactical acumen have led many to tip them to retain their title in the upcoming tournaments. As the rugby globe spins, the scrum might be under scrutiny, but it's clear that the spirit of the game adapts, evolves, and, as always, excites.
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Eddie Jones, ever the provocateur, has thrown another verbal grenade into the rugby world, claiming that World Rugby has it out for the scrum. This bombshell dropped after he witnessed the Springboks' sheer dominance over Argentina in Durban—a match where the scrum, historically a Springbok stronghold, seemed under siege by new rules. According to Jones, these changes are an underhanded move to neutralize the Boks' scrum power.
While guesting on the Rugby Unity podcast, the outspoken coach didn't mince his words.
"That first [Springbok] scrum, if that’s not a penalty… he [the referee] says you’ve got to go up both sides, but it looked like they were going up both sides – the only thing that didn’t go up was the turf in the ground,"
Jones argued, suggesting a refereeing bias aimed at diluting the scrum's impact. He went further, insinuating that there's a concerted effort to "take the scrum out of the game," whether overtly or covertly.Despite the alleged officiating slant, the Springboks had little trouble dispatching Argentina with a thumping 67-30 scoreline, thanks to a flurry of tries that showcased their attacking prowess. However, Jones pointed out that the real key to South Africa's recent success wasn't just their dazzling runs but their strategic boots. "Their two best attacking games have come on the back of their best kicking games," he noted, underscoring the effectiveness of tactical kicking in modern rugby.
Indeed, Jones highlighted a rather intriguing statistic that aligns with his observations:
"One of the most consistent winning metrics – and these data analytics guys can predict close to 99.9% of the Tests – is kicking metres, by a mile."
This insight punctuates the evolving nature of international rugby, where kicking strategy often dictates terms.Meanwhile, the Boks' towering presence and tactical acumen have led many to tip them to retain their title in the upcoming tournaments. As the rugby globe spins, the scrum might be under scrutiny, but it's clear that the spirit of the game adapts, evolves, and, as always, excites.