Quote: Deus Dat Incrementum "I think the first tackle from a scrum the ref shouts "tackle one" the first tackle after a 20m restart the ref shouts "zero" so you gain 10m or so from where the ball is played if it was a scrum and an extra tackle. You can also take 25seconds to form a scrum whereas the tap restart can be taken as quick as saints can get on side.
So there is a bit of a difference.
That said I thought Patton played well in executing that game plan. The bulk of his kicks split the full back and wingers and bounced 2/3 times before they were picked up. That was really valuable for the chasers.'"
Yes I agree. The point being that holding the scrum itself is like playing the ball through your legs at zero...it's away of restarting the game...plus it's also a penalty because the team against the head don't have a defence structure shape...just outside backs vs outside backs with space.
If you kick the ball dead..a favourite of Leeds for seasons until they tried to restrict the play by adding 10 yards to the restart....you will always have a full defensive line...plus if you lie out in the field of play while you get cramp attended too...you get more than a minute stop clock.