Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar keen to see scrums back during Super League 2021

Packing down was eradicated from the game when Betfred Tremendous League resumed after lockdown final August.

The change, to play being restarted with a hand-over, was launched to chop down on the variety of ‘shut contacts’ throughout matches.

With the coronavirus pandemic not but over, the RFL and Tremendous League have confirmed there will probably be no scrums when the brand new season begins subsequent month – although they may very well be reintroduced later within the yr.

The principle regulation change for 2021 is the appearance of 20-40 kicks, the place an attacking workforce will get the ball again if a kick from their 20-metre space lands within the opposition’s 40.

The 40-20 is a longtime a part of the sport, however Agar doesn’t imagine “we’ll see an excessive amount of of” the brand new kicking choice.

He’s, although, a fan of scrums – which have been an integral a part of the game because it was based in 1895 – and eager to see them reintroduced as soon as Covid restrictions are relaxed.

“I might quite have scrums again,” Agar confirmed.

“I believe scrums are a part of the material of rugby league.”

The times of rival forwards packing right down to battle for possession are lengthy gone, with just about all trendy scrums gained by the workforce with the feed, however Agar nonetheless feels they’ve an essential goal.

He burdened: “Whereas we aren’t putting for the ball, scrums are contested and I do know it’s few and much between, however you do get a chance to get the ball again.

“However I believe, greater than something, the best way the foundations have gone, not having them, has led to some damaging techniques.”

Agar admitted Rhinos use these techniques, however he mentioned: “Having the ability to roll the ball into contact and taking 30 seconds to convey the ball again in from a play-the-ball, I believe you may put in a low-risk, not very adventurous kick and get a good reward from it by getting some wind in your lungs and getting your defence tight for the following two or three performs.

“I believe it doesn’t actually reward something from a kick.”

Scrums additionally take 5 defenders out of play and Agar believes that presents extra attacking alternatives than the brand new system, which permits sides to regroup after handing over possession.

“Should you put a scrum into play, you may have 4 blokes attacking three on a proportion,” he mentioned.

“You possibly can have 5 blokes attacking 4, you may throw folks round, you could be adventurous.

“That’s right down to coaches, some groups most likely don’t assault an excessive amount of from a scrum, however different groups do, whether or not that be play one or play two.

“All of us break up the sphere now into splits of numbers and if play is in the course of the sphere you usually get 5 defenders one one aspect and 5 on one other.

“From a scrum you get 5 defenders on the scrum line, which is an even bigger proportion and for me an excellent alternative to assault, but in addition create some momentum early in your units.

“I would love scrums again.”

Scrums are nonetheless utilized in Australia, although with some modifications.

Agar mentioned: “If the scrum rule goes to how it’s within the NRL, the place you may have your selection (of the place to pack down), I believe that may also throw a bit extra unpredictability and extra alternative for us coaches to give you completely different performs in numerous eventualities.”

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