Picture of the 2023 World Rugby Law book. Image shows a Hollie Davidson referee, Kendra Cocksedge (NZ) and Sadiya Kabaya (Eng)

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25 Comments

  1. Ref from Southwest Ontario Canada. Trying to get an answer to “Barging in a ruck” or to clarify a player entering a ruck not making any attempt to bind uses a shoulder or chest to force an opposing player our of a ruck. Very dangerous particularly for a player bent over leagaly poaching the ball. Quite common in the ’15 Six nations games.

    Please help.

  2. Refe from Madagascar. About law 11, when knocking (hitting)the ball from the ball carrier hand’s is play on (as the law says)or foul play (delibery knock)? Thank you

    • Hi Steev – I think it depends on what the opponent was trying to do. If they dislodge it which attempting to make a tackle, then it’s a knock on (scrum) – if they deliberately target the ball to dislodge it then it would be a deliberate knock on – providing it does go forward!

  3. Remembering the Italy v England 6 nations game where they didn’t commit anyone to the breakdown and hence there was no offside- is that still a tactic that could be used or has that now been dealt with?

    • Hi Lindsay- yes, the law has since changed to bring in an offside line for those entering the tackle area, not just when there’s a ruck. It’s Law 14.10:
      “Offside lines are created at a tackle when at least one player is on their feet and over the ball, which is on the ground”

      • But, we had an opposition player who went to ground with two of their players. None of our team near the ball(or involved in a tackle, player bounced off and fell) just standing in a defensive line. Is there still an offside here? and if we didnt advance towards the ball, how long would they have to play/use the ball. Just curious!

  4. Hello everybody! I need your help in this situation please: Time is over but an ordered lineout is already on, the jumper knocks the ball forward and an oppenent chases it quickly. His mates can finally score a try! Was I right to let play continue or Should have I ended the match after the konck-on at the line out?

  5. Hello all, Me again, Referee from Madagascar. At 79’50, the referee blows for a knock-on and reaches his hand to the non offending team but at 80 the siren goes off and Mr Ref calls the end of the game. What is the signal indicating that the scrum should be played? is the hand reached signaling scrum to the non offending team enough? Thank you for any reply.

    • There’s no signal there apart from the scrum one. And you’d use your voice to explain the knock came first and you’re playing the scrum. The siren is just for crowd benefit really and the timekeeper should be listening and should really wait till the scrum is set or complete before blowing the siren.

  6. a under 19 scrum the law states .

    UNDER-19 VARIATION

    In an eight-person scrum, the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single player (normally the number eight) shoving on the two locks. The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.
    When a team is reduced to fewer than 15 for any reason, the number of players in each team in the scrum must be similarly reduced.
    Where a permitted reduction is made in the scrum by one team, the other team must reduce their scrum accordingly, down to a minimum of five.
    Where there is an incomplete scrum, it must be formed as follows:
    Seven players – three-four formation (i.e. no number eight).
    Six players – three-two-one formation (i.e. no flankers).
    Five players – three-two formation (i.e. no flankers or number eight).

    Question

    1. Is there any instance where the referee insist all eight to be bound when a player is given a YC
    A. If the YC is a forward .
    B. If the player is a back division player.

    2. Can team A. Whose forward has been YC opt for a back line layer to join the scrum on their put in and have 8 in the pack ., Does the non YC team who have eight allowed to decide on their put in .

  7. Our team scored three tries and were awarded a penalty try. Are we entitled to a bonus point?

    • That’s not really a laws question, but a league regs question. I would imagine a try is a try regardless of whether it was scored by a player or via a Pen Try.

  8. Law 20 – Interpretation.
    When I played a penalty kick had to be on, or be4hind the ‘mark’
    Nowadays the kicker is given ‘license’ to take steps, (frequently several steps), ahead from the mark thus ‘cribbing’ territory.
    Why, (under what modification of the Law 20), are referees allowing his?

    • Flippant response brewing – because it’s easier than being a pedant referee and having the bring them back and go again. It rarely makes any difference in the end so it’s one of those ‘why should I bother?’ thoughts. It’s one to manage and maybe be seen to manage it.

      But you make a very valid point and I’m sure ref managers/WR are keeping an eye on it.

  9. Can you hand off in the face (open hand) or is it deemed contact to head and penalty?

    • Yes you can (although some age grade rules in different countries may say otherwise) But has to be as described as any other stronger action could be deemed dangerous okay

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