My highlights.
Ian...in your opinion is that WR law or NO law?
I think its WR Law because NO is not the only one I have heard this from (WB, Jacko, CJ that I can recall, there are probably others)
If it is WR law then presumably NO is applying 20.1?
[LAWS](e) Number of players: eight. A scrum must have eight players from each team. All eight players must stay bound to the scrum until it ends. Each front row must have three players in it, no more and no less. Two locks must form the second row.[/LAWS]
If that is not it, then what WR law might justify no change by #8. I'm happy this is it but I'm happy to be proven otherwise or shown that it is legal. (I guess you can technically slide your bind without losing contact as ndefined by a 'bind').
Yep, I think that is what they are using
Well I have two opinions to express here.
1. It ought to be allowed.
If the No. 8 sees/feels that the scrum is wheeling, why should not be allowed be allowed shift his bind to a position the helps him to stop the wheeling.
2. Technically, the no 8 only has to bind with one arm, not two...
[LAWS]Law 20.3 (f)
Binding by all other players. All players in a scrum, other than front-row players, must bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm prior to the scrum engagement. The locks must bind with the props in front of them. No other player other than a prop may hold an opponent.
Sanction: Penalty kick[/LAWS]
...so with a bit of skill, a No. 8 could change positions without ever infringing 20.1(e) by always keeping at least one arm bound; 20.3(f) allows him to do that.
Might be worth a question to SAReferees Duty Ref.