This week Keego adds his thoughts on how to fix the scrum dilemma to the stockpile.
Welcome to blog number 9. I still cant believe its not butter.
Before we get into this weeks topic, I would just like to say thank you for the overwhelmingly positive reaction to last week’s piece. You understood what I was trying to do and responded with kindness. It really gave me a warm, fuzzy, slightly illegal feeling inside.
Now on to more pressing matters. With the season nearly upon us, I thought I would ponder the effects of the massive impact on the players. Particularly in the scrum, and what could be done to protect the players a bit more, obviously without adversely affecting the game as a spectacle.
I was reading about lawsuits being brought against the NFL (National Football League in America – basically it is rugby with padding and ad breaks). There have been 81 players who have joined together to bring this lawsuit against the NFL citing neglect of the player when their career is over and not protecting them enough while playing. A lot of this comes down to personal responsibility and a lack of self control while at the strip club (lapdances cost money…..apparently), but lets look at what would happen if the rugby players started thinking this way.
Looking at the professional game first, we have all seen players on the pitch that shouldn’t have been allowed into the stadium. Watch Ireland’s Grand Slam DVD again and look at the damage Drico took in those matches. I have spoken before about the need to protect players from themselves, but it could get to a stage where the governing bodies need to protect the players so as not to become a target for litigation down the road. When the hits get bigger the damages also increases.
Look at our friend the scrum. It is the rugby equivalent of the drunk girl in the club dancing like Rihanna. It is horrible to watch but you cant take your eyes off it (reverse the sex in the previous statement if you are a woman – men can dance like Rihanna too I’ll have you know). It has become a mess. If you watch some old school rugby, when a scrum was called it was a race to see who got the shove on first, if there weren’t enough players then tough luck.
I do have an idea on how we can solve this problem. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on my theory. It is quite simple. Why cant we have the ref on one side and a linesman on the other side? It is getting like boxing when one person notices the ref is on the other side he cheats where the ref cant see it. The scrum is exactly the same. If there is someone on each side watching this solves binding issues and general illegal play. In order to get the linesman out of they way, they just have to run the opposite direction to where the ball breaks.
Also, and I have been lambasted for mentioning this in public, but why not start ear to ear? If you have both front rows ear to ear it means they have to be lined up. If the ears are crooked, at least the ref and linesman will be able to see that they are lined up correctly. I saw too many bums in the air and heads down last season.
And on the pitch too……
Seriously though. The scrum is ruining the game, and while the new rule of having to use the ball within a few seconds will speed it up, it doesn’t help the actual problem.
My theories above will also save on the amount of impact the front row has to endure. If you line up ear to ear the impact is decreased greatly. Less impact means less injuries which means longer careers. When you think about how long Mike Ross has been throwing his head into another lads shoulder is it surprising that he has a face like play dough and probably wakes up every morning in pain? I think this generation of players may be the first to have a very painful way of life when they get older. The human body cannot do this as regularly as they are asked to do it. The governing bodies have to step up and find a better way of protecting the players.
If you have any ideas on player safety or the scrum please twat/tweet/however you say it, me @nkeegan.
In closing, an early Christmas miracle came visiting the bat cave this week in the form of a Leinster season ticket. Anglesea Stand Block E! I thought I was going to have to watch the Blues from the couch, but I will be in the thick of it, taking on all comers.
Keego (@nkeegan): Newbie blogger, former professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.
