Tahs Vs Chiefs

[Lee Grant]

Scrummies are perfectly entitled to tackle the no.8 when he touches the ball, but not before.

The bone of contention I have is that defending scrummies are required to have both feet behind the ball before the ball emerges from the scrum and often they don't.

Mind you some people think that when the defending scrummie goes for the ball he is offside because the no.8 hasn't picked the ball up yet. He is entitled to do this if the scrum is ended and one of the ways a scrum ends is by the no.8 unbinding.

Binding means binding with at least one full arm; hence if the 8 is just grabbing the locks with his hands, before picking the pill up, the scrum has already ended and it first in best dressed. But the opposing scrummie must not flop on the ball. To do so in the vicinity of a scrum or a ruck is an infringement.

The key to a good pick up is a straight scrum or a bit of right shoulder if play is going to the right. Right shoulder makes it almost impossible for the defending scrummie to be in a legal position to bother the 8, especially if the attacking scrummie is parked between he and the defending scrummie.

The channel must be clear and the ball clean and not bouncing off the locks legs like a bobsled, which happens if a wheel is effected by defenders.

Yep SNKs try against the Canes was from a lineout -and if IRR we were lucky to get away with a throw that was right to the jumper's chest - not the inside shoulder.

 

[Pfitzy]

BTW what happened in that scrum when Baxter shot up backwards over his second rower? IT was on the otherside of the field to me so I didn't see what lead to it.

Forgot to concentrate - as Kearnsy said on commentary: the scrum was too busy thinking about the move rather than the scrum. Play what is in front of you!

Goes to show that you can be smashing the other blokes all day in the scrum, but if you relax you'll get hammered.

 

[Cutter]

BTW what happened in that scrum when Baxter shot up backwards over his second rower? IT was on the otherside of the field to me so I didn't see what lead to it.

Forgot to concentrate - as Kearnsy said on commentary: the scrum was too busy thinking about the move rather than the scrum. Play what is in front of you!

Goes to show that you can be smashing the other blokes all day in the scrum, but if you relax you'll get hammered.

New props for the chiefs as well.

Scrummies are perfectly entitled to tackle the no.8 when he touches the ball, but not before.

The bone of contention I have is that defending scrummies are required to have both feet behind the ball before the ball emerges from the scrum and often they don't.

Mind you some people think that when the defending scrummie goes for the ball he is offside because the no.8 hasn't picked the ball up yet. He is entitled to do this if the scrum is ended and one of the ways a scrum ends is by the no.8 unbinding.

Binding means binding with at least one full arm; hence if the 8 is just grabbing the locks with his hands, before picking the pill up, the scrum has already ended and it first in best dressed. But the opposing scrummie must not flop on the ball. To do so in the vicinity of a scrum or a ruck is an infringement.

The key to a good pick up is a straight scrum or a bit of right shoulder if play is going to the right. Right shoulder makes it almost impossible for the defending scrummie to be in a legal position to bother the 8, especially if the attacking scrummie is parked between he and the defending scrummie.

The channel must be clear and the ball clean and not bouncing off the locks legs like a bobsled, which happens if a wheel is effected by defenders.

Yep SNKs try against the Canes was from a lineout -and if IRR we were lucky to get away with a throw that was right to the jumper's chest - not the inside shoulder.

The flanker on the LH side should be making a nuisance of himself for the scrummie as well. He can bind further back, stick his rump out, put his legs in the way etc.

You're right Lee, if the TH side screws, it gives the 8 more time. Similarly, if they use fast channel 3 ball in the scrum, it presents it on the TH side so the 8 can pick and go easily. Alternarively, if he wants to turn into the halfback and pop the ball, channel 1 ball is better. With a dominant scrum, the 8 could also call a second shove to make the halfback have to retreat/putting him offside. Its up to Palu to be working out what the backs are doing and then telling the scrum which way to screw, whether he wants a second shove and which channel he wants the ball from. I've said it before, No. 8 is a specialist position. Palu is a good ball runner, off loader and defender but he's not yet a great technical No. 8

 

[Lee Grant]

No he's not, but I have also seen Totaui Kefu stuff up a lot of things at the scrum base.

Palu is a terrific player and was the Players Player for the Tahs in 2008, which argues more for his ability than dozens of posts in rugby forums to the contrary, but he is a slow starter to a season, especially if he hasn't played in any trial games.

He also turns the ball over too many times for such a big man, which is a technical thing if he has the necessary support. And because his game is not in rhythm yet he is missing passing opportunities that he doesn't miss in his pomp.

He is still peerless in running over folks though.

As for the flanker sticking his legs out: he can't do that unless he had them there at the start of the scrummage.

 

[the gambler]

The kicking of the ball out of a halfbacks hands is something I have been getting frustrated by. I just think teams are getting too excited by backrow moves. First phase ball can be a great attacking opportunity yet noone seems willing to chance their arm.

 

[Cutter]

No he's not, but I have also seen Totaui Kefu stuff up a lot of things at the scrum base.

Palu is a terrific player and was the Players Player for the Tahs in 2008, which argues more for his ability than dozens of posts in rugby forums to the contrary, but he is a slow starter to a season, especially if he hasn't played in any trial games.

He also turns the ball over too many times for such a big man, which is a technical thing if he has the necessary support. And because his game is not in rhythm yet he is missing passing opportunities that he doesn't miss in his pomp.

He is still peerless in running over folks though.

As for the flanker sticking his legs out: he can't do that unless he had them there at the start of the scrummage.

We wouldnt be having this discussion if the law was being strictly applied by the ref because the halfback wouldnt be offside. Assuming he is offside (and that the ref isnt being strict at the scrum base), another useful strategy is for the flanker to get in the way. If the ref is refereeing to the law, the 9 wont be too close and therefore the flanker wont need to try to interfere.

Kefu was also a very good player, but not necessarily a technical wizard at the scrum. Zinzan Brooke on the other hand... Rodders is usually ok too.