Refereeing decisions

[Slim 293]

The "hinging" call is the most obvious example. There is no logic nor benefit behind a loosehead bending down like that, and yet time and time again they are penalized, as opposed to the tight head that actually collapsed it

 

[liquor box]

This happens already - but they don't come infield as I think you're suggesting.

Yes, I would bring them in to the same distance as the actual referee

 

[JRugby2]

I'd argue in most cases you can see just as well from 15m away on the touchline than from 2-3m

 

[LeCheese]

I'd argue better in many instances - having the full picture of a scrum is why so many watching the broadcast reckon they've picked up on things the ref hasn't imo.

 

[JRugby2]

And way more tightheads penalised!!!

 

[liquor box]

I dont disagree, but my observation still remains that the side where the referee is close by is penalised less, and if the referee switches to the other sides after many infringements is suddenly is fixed up.

 

[dru]

There is something immanent about the scrum adjudicator standing right at your shoulder and breathing down your ear.

 

[LeCheese]

I think it speaks more to the empowerment of touchies to make these sorts of calls tbh

 

[Braveheart81]

SANZAAR is keeping the law variations for the Rugby Championship.

The Rugby Championship 2024 Law Variations

SANZAAR has today confirmed the roll out of several Law Variations that will be implemented in The Rugby Championship 2024 (TRC). The rationale behind the variations is to speed up the game by reducing the amount of unnecessary stoppages and to clarify law interpretations.

Commenting on the law variations SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris stated, "The Rugby Championship is the flagship of the sport in the southern hemisphere and annually we see the best players in the world battle it out for the title. We believe this year's championship, that has been keenly anticipated by the players and rugby fans, will again exhibit the best of what the game has to offer with exciting, tough action on the field, enhanced by the evolution in the Laws of the Game."

"SANZAAR on behalf of its member unions continues to explore ways to make The Rugby Championship and rugby in general even more attractive to fans. In 2024 The Rugby Championship is back to its full format with 12 Test matches played across Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa."

"The Rugby Championship kicks-off on Saturday 10 August when Australia hosts the reigning world champions South Africa in Brisbane, and New Zealand hosts Argentina in Wellington."

"New Zealand, currently ranked third in the world will be keen to defend their TRC title but South Africa - the number one ranked team in the world - will be keen to add the TRC title to its Rugby World Cup success last year. Argentina and Australia will endeavour to spoil the party and will also prove capable opponents, and all the action can be viewed via SANZAAR's rights holding broadcasters around the world."

2024 LAW VARIATIONS: THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

1) RED CARD

In the event foul play is determined to be deliberate and with a high level of danger it will result in a full red card for the offending player who will not return to the field nor be able to be replaced.

All other Red Cards that do not meet the above threshold will be 20 min Red Cards in which the offending player will be removed from the match but will be entitled to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. The offending team will then be able to replace the red carded player with one of their available replacements.

Rationale: the individual, not the game, punished for red card offences.

2) COUNTDOWN CLOCK FOR SCRUM, LINEOUTS AND KICKS AT GOAL.

a) Conversion & Penalty: A player will have 60 seconds to kick at goal [conversion] from when a try is scored; or 60 seconds to kick at goal [penalty] from time referee is informed of kick at goal option. If a player exceeds this time limit the conversion kick shall not count/be kicked – play restarts at the centre mark; for a Penalty a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team at the place of the penalty.

b) Scrum: A scrum must be set 30 seconds from when the mark for scrum is made by the referee. A Free Kick shall be awarded at place of scrum against the team causing the delay.

c) Lineout: A lineout must be formed 30 seconds from the AR signalling the place of the lineout. A free kick shall be awarded on 15-metre line against team causing the delay.

Rationale: Speed up ball returning to play after a score, kick for touch or scrum.

3) PROTECTION OF THE NINE AT THE BASE OF THE SCRUM, RUCK AND AT THE MAUL

Ruck: A player who was part of the ruck may not play an opponent who is near it, and who is attempting to play the ball away. ‘Near’ is defined in Law as being “within one metre”. Sanction: Penalty

Maul: A player who is part of the maul may not play an opponent near it, and who is attempting to play the ball away. Sanction: Penalty

Scrum: Once play in the scrum begins, the scrum-half of the team not in possession must take up a position with both feet no further than the centre line of the tunnel; or permanently retires to a point on the offside line either at that team’s hindmost foot, or permanently retires at least five metres behind the hindmost foot. Sanction: Penalty.

Rationale – all three measures allow the scrum half, or player in that role, to play the ball away cleanly from the phase of play without disruption.

4) PLAY ON FOR A LINEOUT NOT STRAIGHT IF THE THROW IN IS UNCONTESTED.

Law dictates that the ball must be thrown straight into the lineout.

However, if the defending team are not lifted to compete for the ball, then play shall continue in the instance a throw may appear not straight.

If the defending team lift a teammate to compete for the ball and a throw is not deemed not straight by referee then they shall be offered the option of a lineout or scrum. If the lineout is chosen and the ball is again not thrown straight, a scrum is awarded to the team that originally threw in the ball.

Rationale: Doesn’t force a stop in play where no material offence has taken place.

 

[dru]

SANZAAR is keeping the law variations for the Rugby Championship.

Wow. I had previously thought that World Rugby was keeping the variation for trialling outside of the test arena. Seems a touch later than ideal to make the announcement, too. Still, the variations look pretty decent.

Thoughts:
1. Red Card - we now have a new card threshold. Interpretations of how this is adjudicated would have been better sorted before test implementation. It's still a fabulous improvement.

2. Happy with the time clock. Again, how, who etc starts the clock will be watched closely.

3. I have surprised myself with my own reaction to further protection for the 9. I'm all for it in the ruck, lukewarm for it in the scrum, in the maul I'm not at all sure. In a maul it seems to me that as long as you are holding the ballholder up you should be able latch and not release. We often see a halfback reach for the ball at the threshold of the maul going to pot (or being called by the ref). If he has hand on the ball I'd prefer he can be treated as part of the maul.

4. Uncontested line outs - Hallelujah for common sense.

 

[Braveheart81]

Wow. I had previously thought that World Rugby was keeping the variation for trialling outside of the test arena. Seems a touch later than ideal to make the announcement, too. Still, the variations look pretty decent.

Thoughts:
1. Red Card - we now have a new card threshold. Interpretations of how this is adjudicated would have been better sorted before test implementation. It's still a fabulous improvement.

2. Happy with the time clock. Again, how, who etc starts the clock will be watched closely.

3. I have surprised myself with my own reaction to further protection for the 9. I'm all for it in the ruck, lukewarm for it in the scrum, in the maul I'm not at all sure. In a maul it seems to me that as long as you are holding the ballholder up you should be able latch and not release. We often see a halfback reach for the ball at the threshold of the maul going to pot (or being called by the ref). If he has hand on the ball I'd prefer he can be treated as part of the maul.

4. Uncontested line outs - Hallelujah for common sense.

World Rugby only have the law variations in the competitions they control (this year that's under 20 World Championships and Pacific Nations Cup). SANZAAR can make their own decisions to use or not use approved law variations.

The law variations are just a continuation of what we've had in Super Rugby aren't they? I don't think there is any change to the red card situation in particular.

 

[stillmissit]

Wow. I had previously thought that World Rugby was keeping the variation for trialling outside of the test arena. Seems a touch later than ideal to make the announcement, too. Still, the variations look pretty decent.

Thoughts:
1. Red Card - we now have a new card threshold. Interpretations of how this is adjudicated would have been better sorted before test implementation. It's still a fabulous improvement.

2. Happy with the time clock. Again, how, who etc starts the clock will be watched closely.

3. I have surprised myself with my own reaction to further protection for the 9. I'm all for it in the ruck, lukewarm for it in the scrum, in the maul I'm not at all sure. In a maul it seems to me that as long as you are holding the ballholder up you should be able latch and not release. We often see a halfback reach for the ball at the threshold of the maul going to pot (or being called by the ref). If he has hand on the ball I'd prefer he can be treated as part of the maul.

4. Uncontested line outs - Hallelujah for common sense.

Agree with all of these thoughts Dru and I do like to see the 9 pressured by opposition onside of course.
I was hoping to see some control on the caterpillar line which seems designed to stop any competition.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Ruck: A player who was part of the ruck may not play an opponent who is near it, and who is attempting to play the ball away. ‘Near’ is defined in Law as being “within one metre”. Sanction: Penalty

Maul: A player who is part of the maul may not play an opponent near it, and who is attempting to play the ball away. Sanction: Penalty

Am I reading too much into this, or can a play who is still part of the ruck play the opponent?

 

[Wilson]

Am I reading too much into this, or can a play who is still part of the ruck play the opponent?

I think so. If it was adjudicated in a court the discrepancy might mean something, but I expect referees will interpret is and was identically there.

 

[JRugby2]

Wow. I had previously thought that World Rugby was keeping the variation for trialling outside of the test arena. Seems a touch later than ideal to make the announcement, too. Still, the variations look pretty decent.

Thoughts:
1. Red Card - we now have a new card threshold. Interpretations of how this is adjudicated would have been better sorted before test implementation. It's still a fabulous improvement.

2. Happy with the time clock. Again, how, who etc starts the clock will be watched closely.

3. I have surprised myself with my own reaction to further protection for the 9. I'm all for it in the ruck, lukewarm for it in the scrum, in the maul I'm not at all sure. In a maul it seems to me that as long as you are holding the ballholder up you should be able latch and not release. We often see a halfback reach for the ball at the threshold of the maul going to pot (or being called by the ref). If he has hand on the ball I'd prefer he can be treated as part of the maul.

4. Uncontested line outs - Hallelujah for common sense.

2. I can imagine that similar to the NRL there will be someone off-field doing the clock for scrums/ lineouts. Going to be at the mercy of what resource and manpower is available at the host stadium/ host broadcaster, otherwise will be up to the referee I guess.

3. Remember you can't tackle someone without the ball or play someone who is not apart of an existing ruck or maul - and to be apart of the maul/ ruck you need to be fully bound with at least one arm (shoulder on) either the ball carrier or another player who is also apart of the ruck/maul. If a player merely has hands on the ball then they are not a part of the maul/ ruck anyway - and cannot be played until they are in possession of the ball (removed from maul or lifted from base of ruck). TLDR - this law already exists, this merely clears up some messy wording in the laws of the game and I will probably just be more closely watched/ enforced.

 

[stillmissit]

2. I can imagine that similar to the NRL there will be someone off-field doing the clock for scrums/ lineouts. Going to be at the mercy of what resource and manpower is available at the host stadium/ host broadcaster, otherwise will be up to the referee I guess.

3. Remember you can't tackle someone without the ball or who is not apart of an existing ruck or maul - and to be apart of the maul/ ruck you need to be fully bound with at least one arm (shoulder on) either the ball carrier or another player who is also apart of the ruck/maul. If a player merely has hands on the ball then they are not a part of the maul/ ruck anyway - and cannot be played until they are in possession of the ball (removed from maul or lifted from base of ruck). TLDR - this law already exists, this merely clears up some messy wording in the laws of the game and I will probably just be more closely watched/ enforced.

my understanding is that you can't tackle someone in the Maul to bring them to the ground, but you can in a ruck ie cleanout.

 

[JRugby2]

my understanding is that you can't tackle someone in the Maul to bring them to the ground, but you can in a ruck ie cleanout.

Correct - but I don't believe this is relevant to this law update/ clarification? "Someone in the maul" or in the ruck would infer someone bound to it which the 9 usually isn't in this scenario.

 

[RemainingInTheGame]

What defines a contested lineout?

Lifting someone?

Hands in the air?

A reasonable chance that you could have caught the ball?

(and let's assume that an obvious not straight is called such as throwing the ball straight to the halfback!)

 

[stillmissit]

What defines a contested lineout?

Lifting someone?

Hands in the air?

A reasonable chance that you could have caught the ball?

(and let's assume that an obvious not straight is called such as throwing the ball straight to the halfback!)

Like a lot of things it will be discussed and agreed upon with refs but I am guessing it will be lifting. A short throw to the front might need a down the middle interpretation.
There will be coaches working out how to use this against teams that are perennial non-jumpers in their 22m.

 

[JRugby2]

What defines a contested lineout?

Lifting someone?

Hands in the air?

A reasonable chance that you could have caught the ball?

(and let's assume that an obvious not straight is called such as throwing the ball straight to the halfback!)

I hope it's this. You could be really unorganised but just lift/ jump for the sake of it to feign a contest otherwise.