It was around before then. In reality it goes all the way back to pre-split to be honest but in the modern game it was around before MM. Teams used to trap the ball at the LF position in the scrum but then the RFL changed the rules a few years ago to where the ball is deemed out of the scrum when it passes the second rows. So now teams are trapping it in the 2nd row.


I've no problem at all with it. Defences are, effectively, trying to cheat by advancing before the ref calls the ball out so its up to them to wait. Or even better, push in the scrum.

Nothing wrong with it at all, got a bigger issue with the way players are disputing decisions very aggressively and vociferously

I don't like it but if other teams are doing it then I don't want my team to be disadvantage. At least it adds something to scrum...

Phil Clarke is just a massive hypocrite.

Good piece of skill holding it in the 2nd row, I’ve no problem with it as long as the defending players can hear the refs call, as to when the ball is out.

As players, it must be hard to hear anything, above the din of screaming harpies in the stands.

Yes that's the only problem about communication. Tonight hicks shouted half of 'out' before changing his mind and then penalised saints for it.

I agree, don't like the tactic at all. We did it a lot last night, and I think it's a bit of a desperate tactic. It could lead to teams pushing in the scrum more though.

WOW!!!

People whinging when teams play to the rules

Whatever next?

If teams trap the ball then push at the scrum

The first infringement at every scrum is feeding, yet the referee chooses to ignore this rule then seconds later hit the opposition defence for offside! This area of the game is a joke really, I don't know who has decided to constantly ignore the scrum feeding law.

Put-in or Feeding the Scrum 6. (a) The ball shall be put into the scrum from the Referee’s side by holding it in a horizontal position with a point in each hand and rolling it along the ground into the tunnel formed by the opposing front row forwards.

For me if you are going to ignore the feeding you must then ignore the offside other wise you are giving the team feeding the ball an unfair advantage.

I assume by feeding you mean that the ball isn't put into the middle of the tunnel in the scrum?

But it doesn't say in the rules that it has to. It just says it has to be rolled into the tunnel. Which is what happens.

Erm no it isn't it is put in behind the prop forwards outstretched leg. In effect it is put directly to the second row.

Yes it is, the ball is put into the tunnel. Admittedly it's rolled/thrown directly in a gap between the hooker and props legs but it does go in the tunnel. If it didnt then opposition front rowers wouldn't have a chance of kicking the ball, which does happen sometimes. So there is a brief, albeit virtually impossible, chance of the opposition front row getting at the ball. If the ball didn't go in the tunnel then there wouldn't be that opportunity.

Now don't get me wrong, it's definitely feeding. It's just not actually in contradiction with the rule. And personally I'd go back to contested scrums. Or at least look into it.

I don't think the ref should call out at all. It's up to the players to decide for themselves.

That's a lengthy description of him. A mere four letters would have sufficed.

It was always the case that the ball was "in-play" once it emerged behind the 2nd row's feet.