The emphasis shifted to keeping the ball in play rather than tying it up in a prolonged and messy 12-man wrestle and the scrum was soon viewed simply as a quick way to restart the game.
The tactic of launching attacking plays from the scrum was based on the theory that both backlines were set 20m apart, enabling ball-runners to take on their opposites one-on-one.
But that ploy was negated by fast-breaking forwards rushing to join the defensive line to shut down or restrict the attacking team's time and space.
The Warriors decision to revisit the contested scrum merely exploits this convoluted scenario, but has raised concerns about safety after the unsuspecting Eels pack was spectacularly dismantled and trampled upon.
"It can be a great play for rugby league in tying up the forwards into a small spot on the field and opening up the field for the backs, but at the moment teams break so quickly it's not really an advantage," explained Warriors coach and scrummaging champion Andrew McFadden.
"We got a result on the weekend from a scrum push which we only designed to put a bit of pressure on the opposition. I think oppositions will probably have to counter that. Other teams use tactics like holding the ball in the scrum and this is just a way of countering that."
McFadden is unconcerned about whether other sides will follow the Warriors lead and start contesting scrums, but he says the Warriors have prepared and are ready, should the opposition ever try their luck at contesting their own feed.
"If I was coaching against our team I would be practising a bit of scrummaging just in case it happens. I'm not sure what will happen from it but we're just going to worry about ourselves."
Warriors hooker Nathan Friend spotted the opportunity to catch the Eels napping and made the discreet call among the forwards to get the push going.
He also expects other teams to employ the tactic.
"It's like anything, if you see a play that works you're going to try it," he said. "We've just got to be on to it every scrum now and especially on our line when we have the ball and we think we've just got to feed the ball and away we go again. That's probably the opportune time."
The tactic depends on the opposition being caught unawares, and the Warriors must not give the opposition any hint of what they plan to unleash.
"It can't be telegraphed and there can't be any psyching up or anything that might give it away," said prop Jacob Lillyman.
"The big thing about it is the element of surprise and if you have a look at it on the weekend they were pretty surprised. They had blokes ending up on the ground getting stampeded.
"If you're in there having a rest and you're not prepared for a push, then certainly the shoe can end up on the other foot. We've got to be aware of that and make sure it's still in our back pocket for when we need it. There's a bit of publicity around it so we might have to save it for a rainy day."
