On 12 June the iRB issued a press release regarding a change to the scrum sequence which will commence being trialled globally in each hemisphere's next season. This will come into practice in Australia as of 1 January 2013. Of course we will need to await the ARUs official directions. The article is reproduced below or click here to access the article posted to the Irb website.

IRB to address scrum issues with global trial
(IRB.COM) Tuesday 12 June 2012

• “Crouch, touch, set” will be the call
• One part of an ongoing process to improve the scrum
• World’s scrum experts make up the steering group

A revised scrum engagement sequence will be trialled globally following unanimous backing from the IRB's expert Scrum Steering Group.

The trial, which will incorporate the sequence “crouch, touch, set”, was approved at a meeting of the specialist group - made up of Union and players' representatives, former players and other experts - in Bristol, England, last month.

The revised engagement process will be trialled alongside the five Law amendments announced in May, from the start of the next season in each hemisphere and forms one part of the IRB’s ongoing commitment to improving the scrum phase of the Game.

The sequence will see the front rows crouch then touch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop’s outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “set” when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then set the scrum.

The powerpoint presentations of our first development meeting for 2012 is now on the website in the Education page.

During the meeting a question was raised regarding the Brumbies vs Sharks games and if the referee should have allowed the restart after time had expired after the Brumbies has converted to narrow the margin to 3 points. The iRB clarrification was mentioned. Allan Casey has kindly followed up and provided the clarification. Please make sure you read it - it might happen in your game this season and you need to know what to do!

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee:
The WRU request a Ruling related to time at the end of a match.

Just a reminder at the commencement of the season to check out the clips on the ACTRRA YouTube channel. These clips of live action will show you how other ACT referees have managed different elements of the game. You can learn from what they have done which can provide valuable assistance to help improve your game management and how you might apply and interpret the Laws.

Click here to access the YouTube channel or go to our Education page.