Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Dave Rennie: Uncontested scrums are 'not rugby'

Petrus du Plessis oversees the Wallabies scrum /PA

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is not a fan of uncontested scrums in professional rugby – and he’s not the only one.

ADVERTISEMENT

With the coronavirus already causing havoc before a ball has even been kicked in competition proper, that very prospect of uncontested scrums during the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific has been floated.

By Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos no less.

Video Spacer

The massive ‘void’ in South African rugby.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      The massive ‘void’ in South African rugby.

      But Marinos’ potential protection plan for less-experienced front-rowers in the event of COVID-19 wiping out rostered props during Super Rugby Pacific hasn’t gone down too well.

      “I haven’t been involved in any of those discussions but you’d have a lot of excited props if they felt they didn’t have to push at scrum time and get around the field and make a difference,” Rennie said on Tuesday.

      “So hopefully it doesn’t get to that stage.”

      Related

      To the contrary, but agreeing with Rennie, NSW Waratahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes said he wouldn’t be excited at all.

      “It would put me out of a job, so hopefully they stay contested,” said Johnson-Holmes, comparing no pushing at scrums to removing specialist goalkickers from rugby.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “There’s a lot of closed skills in rugby and, if we start looking to modify and alter the game to cater to perhaps issues in depth, then there’s probably a lot of the game that would need to be changed.

      “I know front row is more of a safety thing. I understand that. But it’s a characteristic of the clubs that they probably need to assess and know that they have depth beyond a few emergencies.”

      There can be no doubting NSW’s front-row depth, according to forwards coach Pauli Taumoepeau, who says the Waratahs on “every other day” have as many as nine props at training, including developmental players.

      Little wonder Taumoepeau also strongly opposes uncontested scrums being enforced in the event of a major COVID-19 outbreak.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “If I was to talk on behalf of every coach, I would say we would always welcome the contest,” Taumoepeau said.

      Related

      “Rugby is a contest game; you contest at lineout, you contest [the] maul, you contest [the] tackle.

      “If you take that scrum battle out of the way, as much as it’s very much for the purist, I just don’t think its rugby anymore. So, when given the opportunity, we would always pick contest.”

      “And so we are doing a lot of work with [former Wallabies prop and Waratahs general manager] Andrew Blades.

      “We have a lot of young props in and around training. At training the other week we had nine props – most of them were 19, 20. There is no such thing as ‘we have enough props’.”

      Uncontested scrums certainly wouldn’t be without precedent in pro rugby as they’ve already been used at World Cups.

      World Rugby’s law states: “Scrums will become uncontested if either team cannot field a suitably trained front row or if the referee so orders.”

      – Darren Walton

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Cape Town | Leg 1 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

      Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

      Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

      England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

      Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

      O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 3 | France Week

      Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      S
      SebastianOwen 27 minutes ago
      Crusaders prepare for 'dangerous in all elements' Chiefs game-breaker

      It was a rainy Tuesday evening when I sat at my desk, staring at the screen in disbelief. My Bitcoin months of careful savings had vanished into a shady investment scheme I’d fallen for. The website promised "guaranteed returns," but after sending 2 BTC, the platform went dark, and my wallet was empty. I felt like a fool, scammed by my own desperation for a quick profit. Days turned into weeks, and I’d nearly given up hope when a friend mentioned Alpha Spy Nest, a secretive group known for tracking down lost crypto. Skeptical but desperate, I reached out through an encrypted email I found on a forum. Within hours, a response arrived: “Send us the details. We’ll see what we can do.” I shared everything, the wallet address I’d sent my Bitcoin to, the fake platform’s URL, and the few screenshots I’d taken. Alpha Spy Nest didn’t waste time with pleasantries. Their next message was a list of questions: transaction IDs, dates, even the IP address I’d used. I scrambled to provide it all, unsure how they’d pull off the impossible. Behind the scenes, Alpha Spy Nest went to work. They were a shadowy crew, hackers, blockchain analysts, and who-knows-what-else, operating on the edges of the digital world. Using tools I couldn’t begin to understand, they traced my Bitcoin through a labyrinth of wallets designed to hide the trail. The scammers had funneled it through mixers, but Alpha Spy Nest unraveled the mess, linking it to an exchange account tied to a careless crook who’d left digital breadcrumbs. Days later, I got a message: “Check your wallet.” My hands trembled as I opened my crypto app. There it was 1.9 BTC, a hair less than I’d lost due to fees, but more than I’d ever dreamed of seeing again. A follow-up note from Alpha Spy Nest explained they’d pressured the scammer into returning it after exposing his identity to the exchange. “He folded fast,” they wrote. “Stay sharp next time.” I never met them, never even learned their real names. But that rainy night, Alpha Spy Nest turned my despair into a second chance. I swore I’d never fall for a scam again and that I’d keep their name close, just in case. Email: Alphaspynest@mail.com, whatsApp: +14159714490‬, Telegram: https://t.me/Alphaspynest

      7 Go to comments
      S
      SebastianOwen 53 minutes ago
      Antoine Dupont's France run riot against Italy in Rome

      It was a rainy Tuesday evening when I sat at my desk, staring at the screen in disbelief. My Bitcoin months of careful savings had vanished into a shady investment scheme I’d fallen for. The website promised "guaranteed returns," but after sending 2 BTC, the platform went dark, and my wallet was empty. I felt like a fool, scammed by my own desperation for a quick profit. Days turned into weeks, and I’d nearly given up hope when a friend mentioned Alpha Spy Nest, a secretive group known for tracking down lost crypto. Skeptical but desperate, I reached out through an encrypted email I found on a forum. Within hours, a response arrived: “Send us the details. We’ll see what we can do.” I shared everything, the wallet address I’d sent my Bitcoin to, the fake platform’s URL, and the few screenshots I’d taken. Alpha Spy Nest didn’t waste time with pleasantries. Their next message was a list of questions: transaction IDs, dates, even the IP address I’d used. I scrambled to provide it all, unsure how they’d pull off the impossible. Behind the scenes, Alpha Spy Nest went to work. They were a shadowy crew, hackers, blockchain analysts, and who-knows-what-else, operating on the edges of the digital world. Using tools I couldn’t begin to understand, they traced my Bitcoin through a labyrinth of wallets designed to hide the trail. The scammers had funneled it through mixers, but Alpha Spy Nest unraveled the mess, linking it to an exchange account tied to a careless crook who’d left digital breadcrumbs. Days later, I got a message: “Check your wallet.” My hands trembled as I opened my crypto app. There it was 1.9 BTC, a hair less than I’d lost due to fees, but more than I’d ever dreamed of seeing again. A follow-up note from Alpha Spy Nest explained they’d pressured the scammer into returning it after exposing his identity to the exchange. “He folded fast,” they wrote. “Stay sharp next time.” I never met them, never even learned their real names. But that rainy night, Alpha Spy Nest turned my despair into a second chance. I swore I’d never fall for a scam again and that I’d keep their name close, just in case. Email: Alphaspynest@mail.com, whatsApp: +14159714490

      3 Go to comments
      R
      Randall Rios 1 hour ago
      Four of the best performances from round three of Super Rugby Pacific

      A single typo costing me US$280,000 was beyond my imaginations, but even the most minute errors could have apocalyptic consequences in crypto.It all began with my trying to restore my Bitcoin wallet. I had properly backed up the seed phrase-so I thought-but when the time came to restore my wallet, it didn't work. Nothing worked. I started to be desperate, checking and double-checking my phrases. Where did I go wrong? After hours of frustration, it hit me—I had made a tiny mistake while writing down my seed phrase. A single misplaced character was now standing between me and my $280,000 in Bitcoin.Panic. I looked online, then saw the trending hashtag on Twitter #CryptoRecoverySuccess; out of curiosity, I clicked on it and story after story came out-people who lost access to wallets, got their funds back thanks to Tech Cyber Force  Recovery. The reviews were overwhelmingly so positive I reached out immediately. From the very first message, their team was composed, professional, and super reassuring; they explained to me how even minor typos in a seed phrase could make a wallet completely unreachable but not with the right tools and expertise. I gave them all the information I had, and their team got down to work. The hours turned into days, and my anxiety climbed to an all-time high. But then came the miracle. They cracked it. Tech Cyber Force  Recovery found my error, corrected the typo, and restored my wallet in record time. Seeing my Bitcoin balance show up once more was just pure relief and gratitude.They didn't just recover my funds; they taught me how to back up my wallet properly, avoid mistakes, and secure my assets against future mishaps.I now quadruple-check every single little detail and tell everyone I know: If you ever lock yourself out of your crypto, then Tech Cyber Force  Recovery is the lifeline one needs.The#CryptoRecoverySuccess hashtag wasn't just some hype, it saved me.CONTACT THEM THROUGHTELEGRAM  (AT)TECHCYBERFORC

      1 Go to comments
      R
      Randall Rios 1 hour ago
      Former All Black Craig Newby lands head coach role in England

      A single typo costing me US$280,000 was beyond my imaginations, but even the most minute errors could have apocalyptic consequences in crypto.It all began with my trying to restore my Bitcoin wallet. I had properly backed up the seed phrase-so I thought-but when the time came to restore my wallet, it didn't work. Nothing worked. I started to be desperate, checking and double-checking my phrases. Where did I go wrong? After hours of frustration, it hit me—I had made a tiny mistake while writing down my seed phrase. A single misplaced character was now standing between me and my $280,000 in Bitcoin.Panic. I looked online, then saw the trending hashtag on Twitter #CryptoRecoverySuccess; out of curiosity, I clicked on it and story after story came out-people who lost access to wallets, got their funds back thanks to Tech Cyber Force  Recovery. The reviews were overwhelmingly so positive I reached out immediately. From the very first message, their team was composed, professional, and super reassuring; they explained to me how even minor typos in a seed phrase could make a wallet completely unreachable but not with the right tools and expertise. I gave them all the information I had, and their team got down to work. The hours turned into days, and my anxiety climbed to an all-time high. But then came the miracle. They cracked it. Tech Cyber Force  Recovery found my error, corrected the typo, and restored my wallet in record time. Seeing my Bitcoin balance show up once more was just pure relief and gratitude.They didn't just recover my funds; they taught me how to back up my wallet properly, avoid mistakes, and secure my assets against future mishaps.I now quadruple-check every single little detail and tell everyone I know: If you ever lock yourself out of your crypto, then Tech Cyber Force  Recovery is the lifeline one needs.The#CryptoRecoverySuccess hashtag wasn't just some hype, it saved me.CONTACT THEM THROUGHTELEGRAM  (AT)TECHCYBERFORC

      2 Go to comments
      J
      Jennifer Ross 1 hour ago
      'It's a 23 man game now': Chiefs head coach credits bench impact in victory over the Brumbies

      The topic of recovery services and the efficacy of Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech warrants a closer examination. Recovery services are a critical component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, as they provide the means to restore systems, data, and operations in the event of a breach or other disruptive incident. Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech is a leading provider in this space, offering a suite of advanced recovery solutions designed to ensure business continuity and mitigate the potentially devastating impacts of cyber attacks. At the core of their offerings is a robust, AI-driven platform that continuously monitors systems, detects anomalies, and triggers rapid, automated recovery procedures. This allows organizations to bounce back quickly, often with minimal downtime or data loss. Wizard Hilton’s approach also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing and simulation, putting recovery protocols through their paces to validate effectiveness and uncover potential weaknesses. Additionally, their team of seasoned cybersecurity experts provides hands-on guidance, tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each client. By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech has established itself as a trusted partner in the realm of recovery services, empowering organizations to safeguard their most valuable digital assets and ensure business resilience in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. Contact: for assistance,

       Email : wizardhiltoncybertech ( @ ) gmail (. ) com  OR  support ( @ ) wizardhiltoncybertech (.) com

      0 Go to comments
      J
      Jennifer Ross 1 hour ago
      Adam Hastings returns after 3-month lay-off

      The topic of recovery services and the efficacy of Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech warrants a closer examination. Recovery services are a critical component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, as they provide the means to restore systems, data, and operations in the event of a breach or other disruptive incident. Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech is a leading provider in this space, offering a suite of advanced recovery solutions designed to ensure business continuity and mitigate the potentially devastating impacts of cyber attacks. At the core of their offerings is a robust, AI-driven platform that continuously monitors systems, detects anomalies, and triggers rapid, automated recovery procedures. This allows organizations to bounce back quickly, often with minimal downtime or data loss. Wizard Hilton’s approach also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing and simulation, putting recovery protocols through their paces to validate effectiveness and uncover potential weaknesses. Additionally, their team of seasoned cybersecurity experts provides hands-on guidance, tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each client. By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech has established itself as a trusted partner in the realm of recovery services, empowering organizations to safeguard their most valuable digital assets and ensure business resilience in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. Contact: for assistance,

       Email : wizardhiltoncybertech ( @ ) gmail (. ) com  OR  support ( @ ) wizardhiltoncybertech (.) com

      1 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ Poppy Leitch: 'From the moment I arrived at Chiefs, I felt like this is where I belong and where I want to be.' Poppy Leitch: 'From the moment I arrived at Chiefs, I felt like this is where I belong and where I want to be.'
      Search