Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
Nige's penalty tonight which ended the contest. It appeared that (and sounded like) Phipps was penalised for taking out the opposition halfback without the ball, despite coming through the "gate".
Looking at the laws - he seemed to be applying this.
Which would imply that the ruck was over, or that the nine wasn't part of the ruck?
Have I go tthat right, and is it justified?
The interpretation that has been in force for some time is that you can't clean out the half back whether or not you go through the gate. Phipps of all people should be aware of it. Going through the gate isn't relevant to this.