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Wallabies prop Sio calls for 'scrum clock'

Scott Sio. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Wallabies prop Scott Sio is all for the introduction of a scrum clock to remove one of the biggest blights in rugby – as long as safety comes first.

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Australia’s four Super Rugby coaches have proposed a series of initiatives they hope can be trialled during the domestic competition set to start in July, pending the lifting of state travel restrictions, in a bid to re-engage fans.

Chiefly, the alarming revelation that the ball was in play for only 36 minutes and four seconds out of a possible 80 minutes during the knockout stages of last year’s World Cup highlighted the need for rugby to lift its game as a spectacle.

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Brumbies front row forward Scott Sio media briefing

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

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Brumbies front row forward Scott Sio media briefing

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

The continual re-setting of scrums and constant intervention from referees remains one of the biggest bugbears for fans.

It’s understood Brumbies coach Dan McKellar, NSW Waratahs mentor Rob Penney, Queensland’s Brad Thorn and Melbourne’s Dave Wessels want scrums to be set in 30 seconds or less.

“As this year has shown, we have to have the ability to adjust and adapt,” Sio said when asked about the prospect of a scrum clock.

“And if that is something that is brought in, it’s something we’ll definitely have to train for and take some time to train for at least a month because it will require us to be a bit quicker at set-up time.

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“Safety is paramount first and foremost.

“So whatever did help make the game exciting for the fan base but safe for the players at the same time, we’re all for it.”

Sio said there were “a lot of big injury risk factors at play” to consider.

“But if it’s something that’s trained repetitively over a period of time, we can definitely manage that and handle that as a group,” he said after Australia’s Super Rugby clubs resumed training on Monday.

The Brumbies star also defended Super Rugby lagging behind the NRL and AFL in an expected return to play.

“Our sport was always going to take a tad longer. There’s a lot of different factors at play – the biggest one being it’s an international competition,” Sio said.

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“The AFL and the NRL have the luxury of being domestic competitions so it’s about making sure they look after what’s happening here in Australia.

“We had to make sure we were running the same protocols as every other country as well and running alongside them as a global game.”

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R
RedWarrior 51 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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TRENDING Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss
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