The Scrum in Rugby Union and Rugby League

A big difference between rugby union and rugby league is how each code handles what happens when the ball goes forward off one of the players. To the casual observer what happens after is the same as both use the scrum. However, apart from superficial similarities both are quite different.

When a ball goes forward off a player, either by a forward pass or a knock-on, both codes reset play with a scrum. However, the scrum in rugby union is completely contested. Referees watch carefully to make sure both team engage at the same time and bind correctly, and try to make sure the halfback puts the ball into the scrum fairly straight. From there a torrid affair begins where both teams push and twist trying to force their way over the ball or to disrupt the other team.

A lot of pressure goes through the spines of the tight five, and especially the front row. Because of this specialists are required for the front row positions, and if a team cannot provide enough front row specialists at any point of the game then scrums become uncontested, for safety's sake. Due to all the different technical elements involved in a rugby union scrum there are usually a lot of scrum resets as the referee tries to bring all the different elements together at the right time, including how square the front rows are to each other, pushing straight, the correct distance apart, the binding of all 16 forwards is correct, and as mentioned the halfback putting the ball in straight. Further more, because of the force expended and the fact that rugby is a winter sport members of the front row might slip over, causing another reset.

On the surface the scrum in league may seem to be the same. It contains two less players but both packs push against each other while the halfback rolls the ball in. However, the rugby league is largely uncontested which makes a big difference in how the scrum operates technically. The packs lightly engage with each other and the halfback quickly rolls the ball back to the loose forward or lock packing down at the back of the scrum. It is a very quick way to reset play.

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