NEW IRB SCRUM DIRECTIVE
You will all no doubt have seen / heard about the small change about the Scrum engagement and would be grateful if you could send this out to your club contacts so they are aware that it is in place from this Saturday (11th January). The directive is on the bottom with the note that followed going to Referee Societies. The additional guidance I have added in blue to cover a number of questions already raised.
To support the new IRB Scrum Directive the following additional guidance is offered:
Ensure scrum half (and scrum half replacements) are briefed to the new protocol.
Ensure they are aware of how you will indicate that you are happy for them to put the ball in:
a)If on the far side of the scrum to the put-in the referee will raise his hand and nod his head in a yes motion when he happy for the ball to be put-in.
b)If on the same side as the put-in the referee should tap the scrum half on the back when he is happy for the ball to be put-in.
With under age games suggest that when you brief the scrum half the coach is present so there can be no ambiguity regarding where and how you will touch the scrum half to indicate he can put the ball in. Alternatively, if you are uncomfortable with this, manage the scrum from the far side to the put-in but please ensure the safety elements and need to move to put in side if the need arises.
With male referees refereeing women and girls matches please ensure a similar process is adopted to ensure there is no doubt about where the contact will be made.
If necessary, whilst the protocol indicates touching the scrum half on the back, at underage and women and girls games you may feel more comfortable touching the player on the shoulder but it is essential that the player is briefed accordingly.
To All: Society Contacts
All,
Please read and share the information with all your match officials urgently: a link with two clips on the new scrum procedure can be found by following the link at the bottom of the page and you will be then able to be see the new directive in action.
Please make sure at the pre-match brief you encourage your Referees to share this information/new scrum procedure with the scrum half.
This should be implemented with immediate effect and used and this weekend’s games.
IRB SCRUM DIRECTIVE
In a minor revision to the current protocol surrounding the on-going scrum engagement global trial, the International Rugby Board has confirmed that referees will use non-verbal communication to indicate to the scrum half when the ball can be thrown into the scrum.
Up to now as part of the scrum trial, the referee has told the scrum half that the scrum is ready for the put-in by the use of the phrase “yes nine”. But following an initial review, including consultation with national coaches and referee managers, it has been decided that referees will adopt a non-verbal communication to scrum-halves for the introduction of the ball in accordance with the relevant law (20.5 Throwing the Ball Into the Scrum).
With the new procedure now the verbal “Yes 9” has been dropped:
If the 9 is on the far side of the scrum the referee will raise his hand and nod his head in a yes motion when he believes that there is sufficient stability for the ball to be put in.
If the 9 is on the putting in side he will give the 9 a tap on the back when he believes that there is sufficient stability for the ball to be put in
Referees need to continue to referee all of the other elements of the scrum trial including: pushing BEFORE the ball is introduced to the scrum by the 9 and clear and obvious put-ins that are not straight.
To see these in action please follow the link below.
Link: