World Rugby’s decision to remove the scrum option from free kicks has come under widespread criticism as fans condemn the governing body’s move.
On Thursday, World Rugby confirmed a number of ‘fan-focused’ law changes that will come into force from 1 July 2024.
In addition to scrum elimination, the two new legal changes include amendments to offside by kicking in open play (also known as the “Dupont Law”) and the controversial “crocodile roll” used to move players away from tackles. Includes prohibitions on techniques. / rack area.
But it is the removal of the scrum option from free kicks that has caused the most uproar, causing a fierce backlash among rugby enthusiasts.
This decision disempowers strong scrum teams, as teams can only run or kick from free kicks, and a weak scrum may concede free kicks to avoid penalties or set pieces altogether. many people believe.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Personally, I believe that legal reform and a series of closed-door trials will further enhance the entertainment element.”
“As with all trials, we will comprehensively review their effectiveness and incorporate feedback from across the game.”
Responding to legal revisions
While some see this change as positive, the overwhelming response is negative.
Springbok fans were particularly irritated by the decision after full-back Damian Willemse made an iconic scrum call after scoring 22 points in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.
“World Rugby saw Damian Willems call a scrum off his mark and said ‘enough is enough’,” content creator Kukus Kuehl wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Scrum from mark?
Damian Willemse’s bold and brilliant work 👏#RWC2023 | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/23B0DiUfnA
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 17, 2023
Nigel Owens agrees with South African as former referee laments World Rugby’s scrum proposal
Another Boks supporter added: “I guarantee you this law was not taken into account until the Boks had the audacity to ask for a scrum from Mark. They are not hiding it at the moment.”
Planet Rugby’s James While was also baffled by World Rugby’s decision, saying: “Given what a dramatic and iconic moment SA’s decision was, I completely understand the logic behind the fan-focused revisions. I can’t.”
Scrum-loving social media accounts were also quite upset about the decision.
“World Rugby is best served by taking the scrum out of the game. “It’s something that World Rugby should embrace rather than trying to make it right,” the over-the-hill prop said.
Derek Alberts added: “Find one fan who agrees with the scrum method. The scrum method allows teams with weak scrums to easily get around it. You have sports of all sizes, but from 1 to 8 Stop the obsession with speed. If there was that much demand, the league would become even more popular.”
relies on unnecessary changes
Another fan accused World Rugby of tinkering with the law. “World Rugby is chemically dependent on making very unnecessary and unpopular changes and blaming it on fans who didn’t ask for it at all.”
There were several posts asking, “Why does World Rugby hate scrums?” and some felt that the game’s governing body simply did not value set pieces.
Another added: “And that’s exactly how they ruined the game.”
Some have accused World Rugby of becoming more and more like rugby league.
“An unhealthy obsession with “speed-up games.” That form of “rugby” exists in the league… Rather than turning into a diluted rugby league product, we should celebrate our differences. The more Scrum, the better! ” There was one reply to the official announcement.
There are some good points about this law change, which “sports-obsessed” lawyer Tim O’Connor also mentioned in his reaction.
“The banning of crocodile rolls is a great thing and long overdue. Offside is just so-so and doesn’t really make any difference. And preventing scrums from free-kicks is a great thing and a long time coming. “is actively counterproductive because it removes the , allowing defenders to fan out and fill space without tiring,” he wrote.
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