Exiled Rhino

Thanks. Looks like it has been reffed pragmatically for ages, then. "Immediately" gives the ref the back-up to get players back into what everyone is used to and would consider normal practice if they start taking the p, as with Westwood above. I suspect if it continues and is identified as a trend by commentators and fans there may be a focus from the refs, commonly called a "clampdown". Not really a problem if a few penalties for a few weeks sorts it out.

Interesting. This year? It's not something I've ever come across before.

Is there a requirement for how close you have to be to the ptb? I thought, as long as you were in line, i.e. standing square, you could be any distance back from the tackled player. What's the rule?

Nothing further required.

I think he's still there because of the salary cap. Leeds would probably gladly replace him but have to balance it all out. I, too wouldn't be upset if he moved on. As others have said, penalty machine who makes few metres.

This presents a tactical opportunity for the opposition to push in the scrum and win the ball, or at least disrupt the feeding/attacking side. There is no law of "uncontested scrums" in RL, it is simply how tactics have developed - primarily driven by the conservation of energy as the feed has been allowed to move back to the second row. Forcing the feed back in the middle of the scrum would just mean teams started pushing again - and still the feeding team would win the ball almost every time as they would cancel each other out, just at a greater energy cost. This scenario might lead to a change in forwards' skill sets towards pushing and heaving, and away from smashing the ball up and smashing the ball carrier. As a spectator I would not welcome this as I much prefer the smashing to the heaving!

I've seen this happen with Leeds forming a progressively lighter pack during the game. The opposition noticed and put a shove on with a full pack. Leeds then changed back to a standard pack, the shoving was even and both teams reverted to the normal uncontested lean. It's all about energy conservation. As the default position, if both packs are the same size, it's a waste of energy pushing with the ball going in the second row. Deviations from this such as surprise shoves and packing down with backs are available tactics that the opposition has to counter.

Or parking for the planned new train station...