The new process of engagement will put the scrums firmly in the spotlight when the Currie Cup competition kicks off this weekend.
The IRB changed the sequence from ‘crouch-touch-set’ to ‘crouch-bind-set’. Props will now be required to pre-bind before the “hit”.
It doesn’t sound like much of a change, but Western Province forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot said it has been one of the main focus points of their build-up to the start of the competition.
The Currie Cup will also be the first high-profile competition to use the new sequence ahead of the new law’s introduction to Tests in the forthcoming Rugby Championship.
It is hoped that the new sequence will ensure the hit will be less powerful, that scrumming will be safer and more orderly – without removing the need for strong, skilled props in the game.
In addition referees have been instructed to police more accurately the putting of the ball into the scrum.
Proudfoot, speaking to Rugby365 ahead of the big north-south derby between WP and the Blue Bulls at Newlands on Saturday, admitted there is a certain amount of “apprehension” ahead of their first encounter with the new engagement sequence.
His remarks come in the wake of suggestions that South African props will need to “learn to scrum””[Springbok coach] Heyneke [Meyer] expressed that in the press and the apprehension about it, starting a Test match that way.
“We feel similar and I am sure the Bulls will feel similar.
“No matter how much prep time you do on the field, or live scrummaging practice – and we’ve done two sessions of live scrummaging [in training] – it is not quite game related. It is not quite a real game.”
Proudfoot admitted there is a level of apprehension and how it is going to work.
“Our whole focus has just been on the execution – making sure that we can execute and apply what the referee wants us to apply.
“The team that does that can then start developing a bit of dominance. If you can’t get your execution right you can put yourself in a bad situation. That has what we have been focussed on and what our whole mental message has been about the scrum for this week.”
Asked if he felt the new sequence will make for a better or more even contests in the scrums, the WP forwards coach said it is too early to tell. – Rugby 365