A proper scrum would definitely change our game. The players/clubs/administrators just don't really want a competitive scrum. At the very least ... making players bind properly would be a step in the right direction.

You can still contest a scrum.
You rule to put the ball straight for a hooking feed hasn't been changed....just relaxed to allow the team with the awarded ball to restart the game from what is in effect a penalty.

I love a contested scrum but can't abide the constant fouling or repeated collapse of the scrum...which half the time ended up with a penalty anyway from the result.

There's nothing to stop the pack of the defending team to push and spin to try and win a scrum...I've seen it happen when a team was chasing the game and in 2 out of 3 times in 2 decades or more ....the defending team won against the head.

The main aim for the defending team now is to try and break for defence...I'd instruct my front row in attack to hold on to their facing player a couple of seconds longer...you can help create a gap or create a penalty when the opposite forward tries to take a swipe at you.

I would be in favour to ensure the forwards are in the scrum and not first receiver.

I would also change the rule on territorial kicking such that all players need to be on-side behind the kicker instead of just ten yards from where the receiver collects the ball. This would allow more freedom to the receiver instead of the forlorn hope which is the kick return.

But I'm not even sure the RFL realise there is an endemic problem in the game so I may as well in the wind.

What is wrong with a contested scrum? As a one off nothing, on the other hand have you watched an RU game recently? Huge waste of time with endless possibilities for penalties.

I agree. You also need to consider that, if scrums are to be contested, then they have to be set correctly in order to prevent serious injury - and this eats up time.

The thing about a scrum was that it was meant to tie the forwards in for one play in order to create space for the backs. With so much emphasis on defense, and with forwards staying out of the scrum, seldom does a scum down result in anything. Maybe we need to move to an 8 aside scrum?

I was told, when the uncontested scrum first came about that it was as a result of Australian sports clinic analysis of sport related injuries. The numbers I was quoted stated that there were seven broken necks incurred in rugby league as a result of scrum forming/collapsing. The view was taken that that is seven too many and from now on they would be uncontested to try to avoid this. Incidently, I was also quoted that the same survey found twenty three broken necks in rugby union. Not seen anything myself about this though.

Yes I am not advocating scrums like RU just those like we had pre Super League.

As for time wasting we have Video Referee, the remarkable injuries preventing the drop out, the mandatory pause and reflect before a scrum, the constant chats before and after penalty award and the 4 seconds of nonsense each tackle. That is why the game is not as dynamic as it was.

In that case, might as well just do away with them and start with a tap like 40/20's now begin.

Thin end of the wedge is that.

What happens when the medics say there have been lots of concussions caused by full tackle, and for players' safety Super League should go to touch rugby.

It would certainly make the game more interesting...one out drives don't get you far in touch.

Not for me MPN at least a scrum ties up 12 players

Presuming you meant scrums not half backs (the original topic?)

Yes, I meant scrums. We either do them properly or not bother.

Half backs are an endangered species close to extinction, anyhow.

Yes, it's a contact sport and is mildly dangerous to health but seldom fatal or causing life changing injuries. Plenty other sports are more dangerous.
For example, the IoM TT. All the riders know the grave risk and do it anyway for the love of it.

Another example is boxing. The sport rewards those who can cause their opponent such acute head and brain trauma that the opponent loses consciousness. All boxers know this and accept it.

I am afraid this "no contested scrum" concept is another case where a sport is unnecessarily emasculated at the whim of well meaning do gooders.

The "All must have prizes" and helicopter protectionist culture.

Sorry Wires71 but I couldn’t disagree more strongly about boxing. Deliberate blows to the head should not be tolerated in any sport.