In an effort to bring sexy back to the Super 14, referees have been given a clear mandate from SANZAR to get tough on the ‘soft’ type indiscretions during this year. The hit list includes the tackled-ball area, formation of a maul, players in front of the kicker advancing, and the old chestnut surrounding the scrum engagement.
These four areas were identified by players and coaches during the 2009 Super 14 review as those which needed attention and remedial action taken to open up the game and break the stodge fest that was last year’s season.
Tournament officials will be encouraged to take the big stick to players infringing in these areas and will be assessed as to their effectiveness. Those refs’s who are policing these new standards will be rewarded with on-going appointments while those who are not will presumably get a few weekends off.
SANZAR referees manager Lyndon Bray explained the new interpretations and the proposed benefits.
“In the past two months, I have attended workshops in all three SANZAR countries with coaches and officials and everyone has responded positively to this approach.
“There is total agreement between all three SANZAR countries that Super 14 rugby needs to return to its roots and deliver excitement and attack on the field and we believe these initiatives can help deliver a better game for everyone.”
The four key areas are outlined by Bray in more detail below.
Tackled Ball:
“The tackler, once hitting the ground in the tackle, must release the ball and the ball carrier. This gives the ball carrier a chance to ‘play the ball’, and will tidy up the tackle-ball area which has previously been weighted towards the tackler.
“As well, any player involved in helping make a tackle, who is in contact with the ball carrier when he is taken to ground, must then release the ball, before then attempting to contest possession, even if he is on his feet.
“This ensures that in Super 14, we are truly refereeing the Law at the tackle, and it provides the ball carrier with his rights, having been tackled. After this tackle, any player then on his feet, in a position of strength (his side of the tackle) may then contest possession.”
Scrum engagement:
“The scrum engagement must follow a true sequence, starting with all props required to touch, on the touch call. Props must also have their head and shoulders above their hips, and then hit straight on engagement.
“This enhances the chance of the scrum being contestable, and to stay up resulting in less resets.”
Players in front of the kicker:
“Players will be forced to comply with standing still or retiring in relation to being in front of the kicker. This will see referees calling for a player to stop advancing – if he continues to advance, he will be penalised and players must retire from within 10m of the receiver of a kick – otherwise an immediate penalty will be given where these players look to contest the kick.
“The objective is that this will improve the time and space for players to counter attack, when receiving kicks in general play, and reducing some of the aerial ping pong people we have been seeing in rugby.”
Formation of the maul:
“At the time that a maul is formed, players supporting the ball carrier will not be allowed to obstruct the opposition. This is intended to at least make the maul defendable at the set up stage.”
Bray was quick to point out that these were not changes to the existing laws of the game, but mere clarifying the interpretation of the laws.
It is hard to not argue that in principle, these initiatives are a step in the right direction, but one thing union doesn’t need is another slant on the interpretation of the laws of the game.
One thing is for sure, with greater policing of the tackler and players in front of the kicker, both the All Blacks and Bokke will need to dramatically change their game plans for this season’s Tri-Nations.
