Refereeing decisions

[JRugby2]

I don't think Nige actually saw what he was describing here, for the first one. The issue isn't that he wasn't bound, the issue is he's offside (in front of the last feet) when he picks the ball up

Even then it's pretty close, you just need a single foot behind the ball.

Also can't see many referee's allowing the defensive team to move off the line if, as it's described, the Japanese player "detaches" and picks up the ball. Can see most referee's saying that the ball isn't clearly out until it's been picked up.

 

[Major Tom]

I'd have to watch it again but was the AB player bound to the ruck or tackle (i.e. holding on to someone) when he picked the ball up? I think the rule should just be you need to have a foot behind the ball and not be holding on to another player while you pick the ball up. Making you the halfback.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'd have to watch it again but was the AB player bound to the ruck or tackle (i.e. holding on to someone) when he picked the ball up? I think the rule should just be you need to have a foot behind the ball and not be holding on to another player while you pick the ball up. Making you the halfback.

Have heard the foot behind the ball thing before, but not really sure where that comes from in the laws? Nige does talk about it in the clip

All I can see is the offside line (which is back foot)

 

[Major Tom]

Have heard the foot behind the ball thing before, but not really sure where that comes from in the laws? Nige does talk about it in the clip

All I can see is the offside line (which is back foot)

Wouldn’t it just clear it up by making it more obvious who the halfback is? By that you can’t pick the ball up if your hand is on or bound to the ruck / tackler player.

 

[JRugby2]

Wouldn’t it just clear it up by making it more obvious who the halfback is? By that you can’t pick the ball up if your hand is on or bound to the ruck / tackler player.

I suppose but it doesn't really change much from a practical sense. If you have a hand on the ruck, a foot behind the ball and a freakishly large enough free hand to pick it up one-handed - what difference does the first hand make? Defensive lines should have pillars set around the base of rucks anyway.

We see line breaks through this method semi-regularly judged as play on.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wouldn’t it just clear it up by making it more obvious who the halfback is? By that you can’t pick the ball up if your hand is on or bound to the ruck / tackler player.

In a ruck - You can't be bound to the ruck and handle the ball. You can detach and pick it up, as long as you are behind the last feet when you do (onside).

Hands on is not bound, and you can pick it up if onside.

In a tackle - you can pick up the ball as long as you come from an onside position. Doesn't matter if you are bound or touch a team mate. If any oppo player is in contact, then it's a ruck.

In the clip Nige says you have to have one foot behind the ball, or you are offside.

I don't know where he has got this from. I can't find it in the laws.

*Nige doesn't always treat the lawbook as the only way to referee a rugby game