Badwanger wrote:Supposing six players run to form the scrum, but then two forwards are ready to join the scrum BEFORE the other team are ready? Does the referee have to STOP the clock because the six have formed the scrum, RESTART it because two break free to be replaced by the forwards who have just arrived and then STOP it again when the new six have re-formed the scrum? What happens then if a third forward then arrives before the opposing team is ready? Does the referee need to RE-START and STOP the clock again????
It's a pointless rule and does not benefit the game in any way, shape or form. It's a rule for rules sake and will only lead to un-necessary controversy when the officials, who are under enough pressure as it is, make a mistake and it results in a "contentious" score.
It's a fair point but rather than stopping /starting / stopping / starting and stopping the clock in that situation, I would place the onus on the team forming the scrum early to remain in place for the clock to remain stopped. Once a player is replaced by another it's time back on and stays back on, providing the team who hadn't formed the scrum aren't taking liberties over forming their own six.
