Brad Weber calls no scrum idea ‘ridiculous’

David Skippers

Brad Weber of the Chiefs runs with the ball during the Round 18 Super Rugby match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Waikato Chiefs at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Friday, June 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

New Zealand and Chiefs scrum-half Brad Weber has slammed the idea of banning scrums to help combat the spread of Covid-19 as “ridiculous”.

World Rugby’s medical group’s proposal of possibly restarting the sport without scrums and mauls for example has been met with a mixed response from supporters around the world.

And now it seems players are adding their voice to the debate, with Weber feeling scrums should remain as he prepares for Super Rugby Aotearoa next month.

“I think that is ridiculous,” he told the media. “Because when you are making tackles or cleaning out, it (the contact) is pretty much exactly the same.

“You may as well play touch rugby. That is what they are suggesting.”

The report suggests removing scrums would reduce high-risk transmission exposure time by 30 per cent, with several other factors being considered such as washing hands and faces at half-time.

However, with New Zealand as a country in a much more promising position in their battle against the virus, there could be an argument to ease such ideas as they return to action.

For Weber though, the next 10 weeks of Super Rugby Aotearoa is a mouth-watering, if daunting, prospect as derby matches are set to take their toll on players.

“New Zealand derby games take it out of you more than any other game and I think it will take your whole squad in some form,” he revealed.

“I don’t know exactly how they (the coaches) are going to do it. Personally I would love to play every minute of every game, but I have got an understanding that these derbies take it out of you physically.”