|
In rugby football a scrummage or scrum is a way of restarting the game, either after an accidental infringement (in rugby union, a set scrum), or when the ball has gone into touch (in rugby league). Scrums occur more often, and are of greater importance, in union than in league.
The Rugby Union Scrummage
Before a scrum is formed the eight forwards from each team bind together in three rows (three players in the front row, two in the second row, and the remaining players behind them). The front row is composed of the two prop forwards (tighthead and loosehead) supporting the hooker; the second row forwards are more often referred to as locks; and the back row is made up of the two flankers (sometimes wing forwards) with the Number 8 (named after the jersey number of the starter at that position) between them.
The front row are usually the stockiest members of the scrum. Hookers are normally smaller than props, though similar in build. Props and locks both need to be strong, but the positions differ in their main criteria for selection. Since props are more directly involved in wrestling for position and channelling the drive forward, strength and weight are of prime importance for them. Strength is also important for locks, since they also push; however, height is more important for them. Locks are virtually always the tallest players on the team; they are used as the primary contestants for possession in another phase of the game, the line-out. Flankers and the Number 8 do less of the pushing in the scrum, and need more speed, because their task is to break quickly and cover the opposing half-backs if the opponents win the scrum.
The two packs of forwards approach to within a short distance of each other and crouch. On a signal from the referee the front rows engage with each other
so that their heads are interlocked with those of the other side's front row. Another player (the scrum half) from the team that did not infringe then throws the ball into the tunnel thus formed, and the hookers (and sometimes the props) compete for possession by trying to hook the ball backwards with their feet, while the entire pack tries to push the opposing pack backwards. The side that wins possession usually transfers the ball to the back of the scrum, where it is picked up either by the Number 8, or by the scrum half, who will either pass it out to the fly half and the other backs, or kick ahead over the heads of the scrum, then running forward to put his or her forwards onside. On other occasions the forwards will hold the ball in the scrum and try to push the opposition backwards.
It is the scrum, and also the line-out, that gives rise to the simplified explanation of rugby union: "The forwards are there to get the ball back, and the backs are there to get the ball forward".
A team with a dominant scrum can tire the opposition's forwards, and ensure any ball the opposition get is of poor quality, whilst ensuring good ball for their own team.
Scrums are the most dangerous phase in rugby, since a collapse can lead to the hooker breaking his neck. For this reason, only trained players may play in the front row.
The Rugby League Scrummage
A rugby league forward pack consists of six players: the loose-head prop, the tight-head prop, the hooker, the two second-row forwards, and the lock or loose-forward. The scrum looks basically like a union scrum with the two flank-forwards removed.
The main purpose of the scrum in rugby league is simply to remove the forwards from the play for a period, thus creating more space for back-play. This is intended to give advantage to the side that is awarded the scrum. Thus scrums in rugby league differ from those in rugby union, being simpler and less time consuming. It is very rare (but not completely unknown) for a team to win possession against the head.
There is almost always no pushing from either forward pack, and therefore no need for a referee to spend time ensuring that the scrum comes together properly: the two forward packs will usually bind together on their own and lean against each other, forming the tunnel of the scrum.
The ball is then rolled between the legs of the loose-head prop by his scrum-half directly to the back of the scrum: the scrum-half either then runs around and collects the ball himself, or the loose-forward detaches from the back of the scrum to collect the ball.
Previously, rugby league scrummages were competitive, as in rugby union. The provision that scrums must be competitive still remains in the laws of the game, but it is usually ignored with the blessing of the authorities. Occasionally, it is suggested that the law be applied again, or that the scrum should be abolished altogether and replaced with a tap kick, but so far these suggestions have carried no weight with the various governing bodies.
See also
| 
