dasNdanger
First XV
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(Did a search and didn't find this, sorry if it's already been discussed)
So I'm watching today and I see the refs - instead of saying out loud when to put the ball into the scrum - they're doing some sort of weird signal. I looked it up and found this:
I get the 'element of surprise' aspect, but isn't it a bit hard in some cases to watch the ref AND the pack at the same time? It seems to me that this would delay the game more than the oral call, and I'm not quite sure how this would work since neither side would be alerted (and thereby prepared) for the put in.
Thoughts?
das
So I'm watching today and I see the refs - instead of saying out loud when to put the ball into the scrum - they're doing some sort of weird signal. I looked it up and found this:
The International Rugby Board has ditched the controversial scrum call "yes, nine" replacing it with a non-verbal, pre-agreed instruction with immediate effect.The news comes after an IRB review in which it asked national coaches and referee managers for their thoughts regarding the call.
The "yes, nine" call had been subject of some controversy in rugby circles, with one criticism being the fact it can take away the crucial timing advantage or element of surprise for an attacking pack at scrum-time by alerting the defending team exactly when to push.
But that is now a thing of the past with referees now signalling in some manner to the scrum-half when they can put the ball into the scrum. The change to the rule will be effective immediately with this weekend's Heineken Cup clashes taking on the new method.
Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/210459.html#2mt2R7LXf4zwQUct.99
I get the 'element of surprise' aspect, but isn't it a bit hard in some cases to watch the ref AND the pack at the same time? It seems to me that this would delay the game more than the oral call, and I'm not quite sure how this would work since neither side would be alerted (and thereby prepared) for the put in.
Thoughts?
das