Enhancing Rugby: The Case for a Fifth Official Dedicated to Scrums

I mean I guess all my blogs for the near future will be about topics we have talked about on The Rant …

Here goes my proposal for an additional Official on the field of play in rugby matches under certain circumstances. Firstly, the Official in the middle must manage the entire game, including open play, set pieces, and disciplinary issues. A fifth official specializing in scrums would allow the referee to focus more effectively on other aspects of the game, potentially leading to better overall management of the match.

Scrums can be physically demanding and risky, with injuries often resulting from improper technique or illegal practices. A specialized official could ensure that scrums are conducted safely, helping to reduce the risk of injury and ensuring that players adhere to safety protocols. Scrums are complex and often involve subtle infringements or technical issues that can be difficult for the on-field referees to spot in real-time. A dedicated official focused on scrums could improve accuracy in decisions by monitoring the engagement, binding, and alignment of players more closely.

How would the 5^th Official actually be utilized? Let me paint the picture ….

It’s a sweltering day in late June, the pitch is humid,100 degrees as NOLA Gold and The Freejacks line up for a scrum, NOLA has the put in. On the ball side the Middle Official stands to observe what is going on, on his side, while the 5^th Official, who has been a front row player, has already started to make their way, on their sponsored Segway (hey let’s keep the new Officials pay net-neutral to the MLR). Standing on the off side of the scrum the 5^th Official observes and both Officials can officiate the scrum to the best of their abilities.

By having a specific official to manage scrums, the game might flow more smoothly. This could help minimize the number of scrum resets and disruptions, which can slow down the game and affect its rhythm. Now the Middle Official doesn’t have to try to officiate both sides, where we have all seen how the Dark Arts change when the official isn’t looking. It should give us what we want in the officiating of scrums, more consistency. Consistency in scrum decisions can be challenging due to the nuances of the laws and their interpretation. A dedicated scrum official could work on standardizing decisions and interpretations, leading to more consistent rulings across games and competitions.

A fifth official dedicated to scrums could enhance the fairness, safety, and enjoyment of the game by providing more focused scrutiny and support for one of rugby’s most intricate aspects.

Scott Ferrara

Beyond statistics and analysis, The Big Guy will bring stories from the field to life. Expect vivid descriptions of pivotal moments, dramatic turns of events, and personal stories from players that add emotional depth to the article.

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