Abstract: A scrum machine with an articulated head formed of an extendable actuator arm mounted on the forward end of the scrum machine and extending upwardly from the ground, and preferably extending forwardly as well, with a pad carrying forward thrusting ram pivotally mounted on a pivot on the extendable actuator arm and locatable in selected angular positions about the pivot. An angle actuator controllably changes the angular position of the forward thrusting ram about the pivot. The angle actuator is pivotally attached to an end of the forward thrusting ram remote from the pad and pivotally mounted on the extendable actuator arm. A scrum machine having a movable pad carrying head is provided with a ground engaging base that includes a front wheel mounted on the forward end of the frame and a rear wheel or wheels mounted for steering about a substantially vertical axis on the rearward end of the frame. Steering of the rear wheel or wheels is controlled by a steering actuator.