Eddie Jones, the forthright Japan head coach, has thrown down the gauntlet, accusing rugby's governing elites of diminishing the scrum's role in the sport. This claim followed the Springboks' robust display against Argentina, where despite a 67-30 victory, the traditional set-piece battle seemed stifled by new regulatory tweaks. Known for their scrummaging prowess, South Africa's frustration is palpable, especially following changes to scrum options from free-kicks, a move they perceive as a direct undercut to their strengths.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones didn't mince words, “
That first [Springboks] 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,”
suggesting a systemic attempt to neutralize the scrum's impact. His concern is that this shift could eventually lead to the scrum's irrelevance, undermining a foundational aspect of the game.
The Springboks' recent performances have been a mixed bag when it comes to set-pieces. They struggled initially against Argentina, with tighthead Thomas du Toit facing penalties, though they regained some ground later in the game. This didn’t stop them from showcasing a dynamic backline, which, paired with a strategic kicking game, dismantled Argentina’s defenses post-intermission.
Jones highlighted the strategic importance of the kicking game in recent Springbok victories, stating, “
Their two best attacking games have come on the back of their best kicking games,”
which underscores a tactical evolution in their playstyle. Despite these adaptations, Jones’s spotlight remains fixed on the scrum issues, reflecting broader concerns about the evolving nature of rugby adjudication.
As the Rugby Championship progresses, consistency remains elusive, with teams alternating between wins and losses. This pattern adds another layer of unpredictability as teams, including the Springboks, New Zealand, and others, vie for supremacy. The final rounds promise to deliver more intrigue as the teams adjust to both their competitors and the evolving rulebook.
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Eddie Jones, the forthright Japan head coach, has thrown down the gauntlet, accusing rugby's governing elites of diminishing the scrum's role in the sport. This claim followed the Springboks' robust display against Argentina, where despite a 67-30 victory, the traditional set-piece battle seemed stifled by new regulatory tweaks. Known for their scrummaging prowess, South Africa's frustration is palpable, especially following changes to scrum options from free-kicks, a move they perceive as a direct undercut to their strengths.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones didn't mince words, “
That first [Springboks] 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,”
suggesting a systemic attempt to neutralize the scrum's impact. His concern is that this shift could eventually lead to the scrum's irrelevance, undermining a foundational aspect of the game.The Springboks' recent performances have been a mixed bag when it comes to set-pieces. They struggled initially against Argentina, with tighthead Thomas du Toit facing penalties, though they regained some ground later in the game. This didn’t stop them from showcasing a dynamic backline, which, paired with a strategic kicking game, dismantled Argentina’s defenses post-intermission.
Jones highlighted the strategic importance of the kicking game in recent Springbok victories, stating, “
Their two best attacking games have come on the back of their best kicking games,”
which underscores a tactical evolution in their playstyle. Despite these adaptations, Jones’s spotlight remains fixed on the scrum issues, reflecting broader concerns about the evolving nature of rugby adjudication.As the Rugby Championship progresses, consistency remains elusive, with teams alternating between wins and losses. This pattern adds another layer of unpredictability as teams, including the Springboks, New Zealand, and others, vie for supremacy. The final rounds promise to deliver more intrigue as the teams adjust to both their competitors and the evolving rulebook.