Can some-one please explain to me why they changed the rule so that the players that pack the scrum have to stay there.
Let me guess, this was a coaches initiated change.
When are the clowns who run this game going to realise that coaches only make decisions based on how it affects them.
It was because of a game a few years ago between Canberra and Saints I think
Anyway the scores were close and there was 30 seconds on the clock and there was a scrum. The scrum packed and the ball had to be re-fed a couple of times. Each time the ref blew time-off and eventually Saints got the ball and kicked a field goal to win/tie the match (can't remember)
Anyway, the league realised that there was no consistancy as to when the time-off should be called for scrums or not so they put in this rule so that there is a solid base on when to call time off.
I think it is a good rule as it also removes time-wasting when a team is ahead and don't get to the scrum but the other team is keen to get on with things