There is scope for mistakes in all decisions, but the scrum is fundamentally flawed. If the scrum collapses, or “pops up” or “wheels” too far the assumption is that a player or players have committed one of many possible offences. This is not an easy task in any facet of play, but identifying the offender or offenders in the event of a scrum is particularly difficult. The referee tries to make sure the game is being played according to the laws so that as far as possible the best team wins. Some are more difficult than others and we are familiar with expressions such as: “referee X is fussy about the contact area” or: “referee Y is really hard on players not releasing”. The referee must exercise judgement in deciding which offence to punish. Rugby is such a complex game and its laws are being constantly broken. The physical characteristics of speed, power, strength, fitness, skill and resilience coupled with the mental qualities of tactical acumen and applied with tenacity, courage and determination are what should take a team to victory. We want their victories to be caused by their efforts. We want contestants in sport to deserve their victories. Justice, fairness and merit are definitive. Although many people baulk at the very concept of sports ethics, moral principles are fundamental to the very notion of a sporting contest. These are all genuine moral issues, but my concern goes right to the heart of good sporting contests.
![rugby scrum rugby scrum](https://d2779tscntxxsw.cloudfront.net/5a7336aae8c3f.png)
![rugby scrum rugby scrum](https://cdn4.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rugby-scrum-hurricanes-highlanders-1200x675.jpg)
There are concerns about head injuries, the brutal nature of the game more generally and worries about methods used to attain the massive physiques required to survive and thrive in the modern era.
![rugby scrum rugby scrum](https://www.rugbytoolbox.co.nz/uploads/media/default/67/42/thumb_1890_default_gallery_big.jpeg)
It’s not only the England team that is in trouble, the game itself is facing significant challenges.
#Rugby scrum series#
Hendrikse was red carded for a brainless elbow on Liam Williams during the Lions’ 71-31 victory over the Sharks in Johannesburg last month.Īfter the final Test in the Lions Series on Saturday, the Springboks will travel from Cape Town to Nelson Mandela Bay for the opening two Tests of the Rugby Championship, against Argentina on August 14 and 21 respectively.For the first time in the Rugby World Cup’s comparatively short history, the hosts have not progressed to the knock-out stages. “We are in the opening stages of a physically demanding season with the Castle Lager Rugby Championship starting next week, so this will serve as a great opportunity to expose him to our structures and at the same time allow us to expand our depth with an eye on the future.” “Jaden is a talented player, and he has been in SA Rugby’s junior structures from a young age, so we are excited to see what he can do at this level,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber. Hendrikse – who was nominated for the World Rugby U20 Championship Breakthrough Player of the Tournament award in 2019 following a series of consistently superb performances for the Junior Springboks – will provide additional cover in the specialist position, where he joins Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies and Cobus Reinach in the squad. Jaden Hendrikse has been called up to join the Springbok squad in Cape Town on Monday as additional scrumhalf cover in the build-up to the Lions Series decider on Saturday 7 August.