AboutNick Vujnovich Expertise I can answer most questions in detail but I am best used for "Forward" positions especially the "tight 5" and the scrum. I am a front row guy myself. I have good knowledge of game strategy and tactics. I cannot give detailed help with kicking myself but I can suggest general training applications and point you towards good resources. I am a New Zealander living in Southern California, USA.
With regard to fitness or weight training: please understand that you are best going to a gym and getting first hand consultation from a qualified trainer. The risk of injury is too great for me to simply give you a program without being able to analyze your fitness or capabilities in person.
I really suggest going through my previously answered questions as well. The most common repeat questions refer to tackling.
Experience I have played rugby from the age of 5 (I am 33 now) I have played "Premier" rugby in New Zealand, London, California, Colorado. I have coached youth, Mens and Womens rugby.
Organizations
Education/Credentials College Degree
Awards and Honors Forwards MVP 2004 Season Back Bay Sharks, Newport Beach Ca., Division 1.
Question Greetings Nick. I live on the West coast (Portland OR). I played rugby many years ago as a schoolboy. The game's changed a lot since then.
Currently, on the Lions tour, the Springboks are complaining of illegal set-piece scrums by their opposition. What types of thing are they upset about? I sometimes see references to the "dark arts" of the scrum. As a rugby fan and spectator, what should I be looking for?
Best wishes,
Steve.
Answer Hello Steve,
While scrummaging has progressed a lot with regards to technique the thing you are referring to is less to do with scrummaging and more to do with referee manipulation.
If a team wines enough about perceived cheating referees are more likely to penalize with the "direction" they have received from the complainers.
The Aussies get accused of it by the All Blacks the South African accuse the AB's of it.
Still you can look for wheeling when a defending team's tight head side actually walks backwards to spin the scrum 180 degrees to make it be a re-start.
The usual boring, collapsing goes on. Charging in early etc.
Frankly nothing is new but the old rule applies: "who gains the most from the result?". If a scrum collapses near a try line and the ref penalizes the attacking team just ask yourself "why they would intentionally do such a thing when they already have the advantage?"
I must say though that in my personal opinion Matt Dunning of Australia does revert to cheating a lot. Look at any footage of him up against the All Blacks and you will see chenanigins galore. Just my opinion though.
