In the evolving landscape of rugby, the scrum, once a battleground of raw power and technical prowess, has become a shadow of its former self, according to ex-Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie. Amidst ongoing tweaks to the rules by World Rugby, aimed at reducing the scrum's impact, McKenzie voiced his concerns, arguing that the essence of the scrum has been significantly diluted over the years.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, McKenzie detailed how the scrum has transformed from a technical challenge to what he views as an overregulated procedure. "My perspective is the scrum’s already been depowered. If you go back 30 years where you had to have technical ability up front, that’s all gone anyway, so it’s already been depowered in the name of safety," McKenzie lamented.
"You’re either going to get rid of it completely – you can’t depower it any more, it’s overmanaged now in my opinion."
His sentiment was echoed by fellow former Australia coach, Eddie Jones, who appeared alongside McKenzie on the podcast. Both veterans are staunch defenders of the scrum, seeing it as integral not only to the game’s strategy but also to its very identity.
McKenzie highlighted the tactical advantage scrums provide, creating opportunities for strategic play-making. "If you switch to other options to restart play like free-kicks, you’ve got to remember scrums are the one opportunity where you get space. All the forwards are gathered in one spot... What it does is give space around the field to maybe do something tactically and that’s one area of the game that’s starting to develop, and teams are doing better off the set-play," he explained.
The discussion also touched on the introduction of shot clocks by World Rugby, aimed at speeding up the game. Despite this, adherence has been lax, which McKenzie criticized. He reminisced about the pace of scrums in the past, notably during the 1991 World Cup final, where scrums were numerous yet quick.
"Yes, it’s faster but we already know that the scrum can be done quicker."
McKenzie and Jones’s critique underscores a broader debate about the future of rugby's traditions amid modern safety and entertainment demands. As the scrum continues to evolve, or devolve in the eyes of some, the rugby community remains deeply divided on the path forward for this crucial aspect of the game.
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In the evolving landscape of rugby, the scrum, once a battleground of raw power and technical prowess, has become a shadow of its former self, according to ex-Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie. Amidst ongoing tweaks to the rules by World Rugby, aimed at reducing the scrum's impact, McKenzie voiced his concerns, arguing that the essence of the scrum has been significantly diluted over the years.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, McKenzie detailed how the scrum has transformed from a technical challenge to what he views as an overregulated procedure. "My perspective is the scrum’s already been depowered. If you go back 30 years where you had to have technical ability up front, that’s all gone anyway, so it’s already been depowered in the name of safety," McKenzie lamented.
"You’re either going to get rid of it completely – you can’t depower it any more, it’s overmanaged now in my opinion."
His sentiment was echoed by fellow former Australia coach, Eddie Jones, who appeared alongside McKenzie on the podcast. Both veterans are staunch defenders of the scrum, seeing it as integral not only to the game’s strategy but also to its very identity.
McKenzie highlighted the tactical advantage scrums provide, creating opportunities for strategic play-making. "If you switch to other options to restart play like free-kicks, you’ve got to remember scrums are the one opportunity where you get space. All the forwards are gathered in one spot... What it does is give space around the field to maybe do something tactically and that’s one area of the game that’s starting to develop, and teams are doing better off the set-play," he explained.
The discussion also touched on the introduction of shot clocks by World Rugby, aimed at speeding up the game. Despite this, adherence has been lax, which McKenzie criticized. He reminisced about the pace of scrums in the past, notably during the 1991 World Cup final, where scrums were numerous yet quick.
"Yes, it’s faster but we already know that the scrum can be done quicker."
McKenzie and Jones’s critique underscores a broader debate about the future of rugby's traditions amid modern safety and entertainment demands. As the scrum continues to evolve, or devolve in the eyes of some, the rugby community remains deeply divided on the path forward for this crucial aspect of the game.