As is the norm, the World Rugby law makers have snuck in a few extra tweaks to the 2019 Law Book that we revealed for you yesterday.
There is a four-year laws review cycle for significant changes to ensure there are no major changes in the immediate build up to a Rugby World Cup year. While none of the 2019 changes are significant, it’s a little odd that they have been introduced now.
So, here’s what’s different. If you’re a scrum half, you’ll need to take note!
Law 6: Additional persons: Medical assistance
In previous law books, it said “only qualified doctors or physiotherapists” were allowed to enter the playing area to attend to a player. In the 2019 law book, it recognises that other trained medical people may be present so it’s now: “Appropriately trained and accredited first-aid or immediate (pitch-side) care persons may enter the playing area to attend to injured players at any time it is safe to do so.”
Law 15.4: Offside at the ruck
The new law defines the offside lines in a ruck as being a “line that runs parallel to the goal line through the hindmost point of any ruck participant.”
Previously it was the hindmost foot of the player on your own team. This recognises that in a ruck players are likely to be on the ground and not necessarily on their feet.
Law 19.30 Offside at the scrum
Scrum halves – pay attention!!
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Law 19.30, 2019
This change hasn’t been announced as such anywhere, but actually solves a problem for referees which we’ve just tried to “manage” for years.
In the picture here, assuming red strike the ball against the head, we wouldn’t then want the blue scrum half to get into the highlighted gaps between either flanker and the number 8. In law, providing the 9 doesn’t overstep the ball, they weren’t offside or doing anything illegal. But being in that space is never going to lead to a positive outcome so we’ve always managed them not to be there to reduce a flashpoint.
In the new 2019 law book, going into that space is now a penalty offence.
18.25 Blocking the throw at the lineout
Technically, this isn’t new, but it corrects an accidental omission in the 2018 law book. When the 2017 law book was simplified for 2018, this written element of law was accidentally missed out, even though the picture was retained. The wording returns now in 2019.
Law 18.25 Opposition players must not block the throw. Sanction: Free-kick.
NB Thanks to the eagle eyes on RugbyRefs.com for spotting that one!
Law 9.26 – Don’t drop a team mate
You may remember that last year, World Rugby added a new law to mandate that a player lifting a teammate, brings that player back down to ground safely. This is included in the 2019 law book as Law 9.26
So, there you go. If you want to download a copy of the full law book, click here
Interested in all rugby matters especially referee topics
The new Law 9.26 doesn’t mention (probably doesn’t need to, but players need to be aware) in open play any player may lift or support a team mate as long as they are not in front of the team mate (ie nearer the opponent’s dead ball line). If the lifter is in front of the team mate, then as soon as the team mate catches or touches the ball the lifter is offside and is liable to be penalised.