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Argentina’s governing body, the UAR, has determined that scrums are to be able to push freely in top division competitions. The change sees a reverse to the policy which restricted using to 1.5 meters, a move aimed at preventing serious injury.
With players having suffered catastrophic injuries the former measures were taken in the interests of player safety. Under the altered domestic scrum laws collapses were reduced by 50%. However one of the consequences of this was that the formidable scrum of Los Pumas diminished.
Following a trial period it has been determined that pushing is to return at the senior level. This will not be used at u20s which strictly follows the 1.5 meter ruling.
The UAR has noted that as of May 31 each provincial union in the country must confirm that they have completed the requirements for their staff and players to have the required skills to compete scrums via a free push.
The unions which opt to maintain the restricted scrum push during this season, of 1.5 meters, will need to undertake the required measures so that the new scrum laws within their provincial area are operating freely in the 2020 season.
Source: UAR
