scrummage
Pack pushes together
Scrummage is the full form of scrum in rugby—a method of restarting play where players from both teams bind together and push against each other while the ball is thrown into the gap between them.
Outside rugby, scrummage describes any confused struggle or crowd: There was a general scrummage for the best seats.
The shortened form scrum is now far more common in both senses.
Rugby's ground-level contest
- maulAttack with brutal force
- lineoutCaught batted ball
- packGroup or compress
- hookerSex worker, informally
prop · lock · flanker · engagement · pushover · put-in · binding · wheeling
Brief physical struggle
- grappleSeize and fight closely
- wrestleEngage in physical combat
- jostlePush roughly against
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
melee · clinch · brawl · roughhouse · fracas · kerfuffle · shoving · pushing
ruck
Rugby's ground-level contest
hooker · prop · lock · flanker · engagement · pushover · put-in · binding · wheeling · collapse
tussle
Brief physical struggle
scuffle · melee · clinch · brawl · roughhouse · fracas · kerfuffle · shoving · pushing · jostling
disarray
Lack of order
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
bedlam · confusion · disorder · muddle · commotion · frenzy · jumble · mess · tangle · crush
contest
Organized competitive event
- battleArmed military engagement
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
contention · fight · confrontation · struggle · match · showdown · face-off