Scrum laws, camera coverage, reffing and ref's mike/feed

A number of people have questioned what happened during the Wales v Eng game. I always get fed up with the coverage because it's inadequate.

I'd like to see:

1. Specialist assistant refs brought on for scrums -- the refs have to be former international props or hookers, or at least played at the highest pro level for a club.
2. The scrum engagement has to change -- the hit has to be taken away and we should go back to 70s-style scrums where the packs engage, and pushing does not start until the ball is put in. The ball will have to be put in straight by the 9 and the hooker will have to do a proper job and hook the ball. If they make these changes, scrums will once again be what they should be and give fowards a chance to dominate in an even contest.
3. I couldn't hear what Walsh was saying -- this is despite the fact there is a mike feed. We need to hear the ref's comments and commentators should either shut up so we can hear or, if there's a technical problem with the feed being aired, relate to us exactly what the ref said.
4. The camera direction for scrums needs to change -- we should see a split screen that shows both sides of the scrum, so we can see what's happening on both sides simultaneously. That should also be fed to the screens in the stadium.
5. The specialist scrum asst refs also need comms so we can hear their comments/decsions to the ref.

IRB -- it's time to sort out the mess you have created.

If they actually reffed the scrums according to the laws (ie no hit, no pushing before ball is in, ball put in straight, back rows to stay engaged and not change their positions) we could then ensure that we have a stable base before the ball goes in, there is a fair contest, 16 players are all tied up and the girls backs have space to work with.

Instead we will continue the move towards further homoginisation with rugby league.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/20/props-say-scrum-reform-needed

I think the tv companies choose to have the mic turned down (or off) and only turn it up at certain key moments. Think this is so you can hear the commentators and also so they don't run the risk of having to apologise for bad language every 30 seconds. No doubt there will be a red button option where you can link in to the ref's mic soon enough.

Jelly, yes that's right -- but the commentators should tell the viewing public what the ref has said rather than blathering on. It's v poor communication.

Aren't the refs being overly criticised and judged enough? What if they use the odd choice word or so? What if kids listening start thinking the ref owes them something?

This all leads down a road we don't want to be going IMHO, I think we should be trusting refs more, emploring more protection for them and most importantlyu setting an example for juniors that the ref shouldnt even be considered while doing his incredibly difficult job!!

Ive seen juniors get more and more disrespectfull toward refs in recent years, and it's quite obvious where they are getting it from, parents stand on the touchlines and scream and you can see certain players reiterating their parents words.

It's a poor state of affairs, but if we keep down this path it's only a matter of time before rugby players are squaring upt to and trying to intimidate a refs decision.

good post, no extra refs needed, just bring in the closest lines judge to stand 20ft away, he's only checking the bind.

TOTALLY agree with the camera angles, TV is bloody aweful with the current crop of directors, split the screen so 2/3rds top half is main scrum view, bottom two halfs should be top down and other side.

I also want to see whats going on the pitch at all times, even during analysis, put it on a small window in the corner. Unless the ref is in the main shot view, if the whistle is blown a box should pop up and show the ref to catch the signal.

close shot views should showing person with the ball should include the surrounding players so we can tell what is going on. All stadiums to have a racetrack cam like Stade to track the speed of the attack.

Important! Please RT to any rugby followers- simple 5 Q survey for your views on elite scrums. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JDQP362

thebluesmancometh wrote:Aren't the refs being overly criticised and judged enough? What if they use the odd choice word or so? What if kids listening start thinking the ref owes them something?

This all leads down a road we don't want to be going IMHO, I think we should be trusting refs more, emploring more protection for them and most importantlyu setting an example for juniors that the ref shouldnt even be considered while doing his incredibly difficult job!!

Ive seen juniors get more and more disrespectfull toward refs in recent years, and it's quite obvious where they are getting it from, parents stand on the touchlines and scream and you can see certain players reiterating their parents words.

It's a poor state of affairs, but if we keep down this path it's only a matter of time before rugby players are squaring upt to and trying to intimidate a refs decision.

No question that refs have a very hard job, They have the laws and directives to work to which come from the lawmakers and tinkerers higher up which can make life tough. I think the problem really comes where decisions are made that you dont understand - and we are not given a proper explanation by the commentators even if they are listening in on the ref's feed. Its about communication.

There are always grey areas and questionable decisions and you can only hope that they balance out. When they dont and people dont get to find out if there are good reasons for why they dont then it is only natural to question the ref.

A few years ago the BBC had an audio option "no commentary". It kept the ref mike and was pretty good. Not sure if they still have it.

Thank god Sepp Blatter isn't involved in rugby!

Ospreydragon wrote:http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/20/props-say-scrum-reform-needed

I read that, it's very good.

Most points are the same as are raised on these boards all the time. No one thinks "the hit" should be encouraged, we'd all rather watch some rugby.

The camera work in this years 6 nations has been awful, i swear i remember it being loads better last year.

The crowd should then have pads and, based on what they see, press either a right or left button.

The score screen should then either show a green thumbs up that allows the ref's decision to carry or a red thumbs down to make the ref revise his decision.

PLUS- a TV audience phone-in to have a casting vote if the thumb doesn't know which way to point.

SecretFly wrote:The crowd should then have pads and, based on what they see, press either a right or left button.

The score screen should then either show a green thumbs up that allows the ref's decision to carry or a red thumbs down to make the ref revise his decision.

... I dont think that would have helped England much in Cardiff

Oh you never know...a fiver here or a fiver there might have seen a glitch on the screen and the thumb would have been in trouble.

"Let's see what the TV audience thought?????"..

Cut to Welsh fans in the crowd furiously pressing their buttons to make the blasted screen work!

Even the Economist has realised that there's a problem with the scrum now!:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gametheory/2013/03/scrums-rugby-union#comments

or if Walsh is reffing it could be like You Bet!