Scrum Feeds not in middle of funnel

The scrum must be stable, stationary and parallel to the goal-lines when the scrummie feeds the ball; otherwise a free kick is awarded to the non-offending team. By strict letter of the law, the ball must be fed into the middle of the tunnel with its major axis parallel to the ground and touchline; however this is becoming less strictly enforced.

Why this leniency...in the old days before the ref shouted the CTP&E (P removed and E is now set to save time) they just went in...all the other rules applied but the ball had to be fed (in one movement without fake), straight in the middle for the hookers to compete and without spin if I remember correctly.

The hooker had to be a smart "hooker" which added another competitive aspect to the game.... (as in line outs (no lifting then).

This is a contraversial subject of union that was no doubt influenced by league in a few areas...especially the older guys.

The line outs are fine but the scrums take too long still and are controlled and sometimes I believe manipulated by ref.

Should be tunnel not funnel. Why cannot one edit and correct spelling on heading?

This is one rule that ref's dont apply. Scrummy's, as far as I can see, always throw the ball straight under their hookers feet. Not sure why they ignore this rule.

 It has placed more importance on ball handling - a knock-on is now equivalent to a turnover. The team committing the knock-on should have some kind of disadvantage at the scrum - more than just not having the put-in, so I don't see it as a really big deal although you are right it is against the rules. There are other options a defending scrum has to spoil the ball besides winning it.

What really gets me is the long arm penalties that refs give for illegal scrummaging. They have no clue what they are looking at and no way should their educated guess result in 3 points for the other team. Should be a free kick offense only with a retention of possession if the ball is kicked directly into touch from the free kick.

 also the reason why this is not always put into play i found doing my coaching course is if both hookers go for the ball the scrum becomes less stable as the lecture put it ( i dont see how ) and this can lead to scrum colapse and injuries! however i do beleive the IRB is trying to now crack down on this and make it more fair! I Have heard in some coaching corse a first stirke move! this means the hooker whos team has put in gets to strike at the ball first if he misses it then the oppent can strike for the ball as well! but that atm is just rumor mill stuff in some coaching coners! so dont qoute me on that one!