Supremo cool on scrum axe injury concern

STEVE GANSON says the decision to scrap scrums should not fuel fears of increased injuries.

But he admits that any possible impact of the new ‘six again’ rule, which speeds the game up, will not be known for some time.

Some players have spoken out about their concerns over fatigue and injuries when the new-look Super League restarts on August 2.

But Head of Match Officials

Ganson (below, in his refereeing days) says everything possible has been done to both safeguard the players as well as making the game more entertaining.

He said: “One of the things that was a concern was if the game was going to go quicker then we had to try and replicate the time at a scrum, where players can regain energy.

“We think we have got it to as good as it can be around what the players had some concern about.”

A hand-over will be used instead of a scrum this year to cut down risk of exposure to coronavirus – but crucially giving players the same amount of time to prepare.

The new ‘six again’ rule, where a new set can be awarded by the referee instead of a penalty, has speeded the game up in the NRL, where a number of injuries have been reported.

But it is unknown if they are a direct result of the new faster game and Ganson said that will not be known for some time.

He said: “The average stoppage for a penalty is about 22 seconds but with ‘six again’ the ball remains in play. But in relation to injuries – it is not something I can specifically comment on.

“They will be monitored at a later stage when lots of factors are taken into account – the impact of Covid, the time players have been out.”

Meanwhile, the five Championship and League One clubs still in the Challenge Cup have been given until July 31 to say if they will take part.

If not, their Super League opponents will get a bye into the quarter-finals of the competition which resumes on August 22.

Lower league clubs are unlikely to play again this year if promotion and relegation is, as expected, scrapped next week.

The quarter-finals will be held on September 19-20, the semi-finals as a double header on October 3 and the final on October 17, provisionally at Wembley.