Laws and Rulings

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset insists the sport’s stakeholders have a collective responsibility to ensure rugby is “enjoyable to play, officiate and watch” © Getty Images

Television match officials are set to be handed increased powers and teams are to be give five seconds to us the ball at rucks as part of an extensive trial of Law amendments sanctioned by the International Rugby Board.

Currently TMOs can only be called upon to rule on the act of scoring but as of next season they will also be allowed to offer input on incidents within the field of play that have led to the scoring of a try, and foul play on the field of play.

In addition, the IRB has acted to limit the amount of time that the ball is available at the back of a ruck and from August in the northern hemisphere and January in the southern hemisphere, teams will have five seconds to use possession after being instructed to do so by the referee.

The changes are among five proposed Law amendments and three additional trials to adopted globally having been endorsed by the IRB Council at its annual meeting in Dublin on Tuesday.

They will also see the rules governing the taking of a quick throw-in will also be altered. Players will be able to take a quick throw-in from anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and their own goal line, while if an opponent knocks-on into touch the non-offending side can choose a line-out as opposed to the standard scrum.

Conversions will have to be taken within 90 seconds of a try being awarded, and should foul play or a technical offence take place at a line-out then the non-offending side can opt to have a further line-out on their own throw.

Then there are the three additional trials, including the expansion of the TMO’s role. The November Test window will also see international sides allowed to select eight replacements, bringing them in line with domestic competition where an extra front-row substitute is named on the bench.

The final additional trial will be to allow Sevens teams to use up to five replacements during a match as the result of the demands and expansion of the Sevens World Series.

The amendment process was the first steered by an independent Laws Representative Group, made up of representatives from each of the 10 tier one unions and the IRB Rugby Committee. Extensive evaluations of the amendments took place at Cambridge and Stellenbosch Universities earlier this year.

One further amendment, regarding the problem area of the scrum, has been referred to the specialist Scrum Steering Group. The current ‘crouch, touch, pause, engage’ sequence of setting a scrum has come in for heavy criticism, and the group will consider a change to a ‘crouch, touch, set’ sequence that would allow the respective front rows to set the scrum.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We have a collective responsibility to ensure that the Game is as enjoyable to play, officiate and watch as possible at every level while player welfare is of paramount importance.

“Rugby is currently in good health with participation growing around the world, but there is collective responsibility to ensure that a structured process can be implemented to allow for global analysis and to monitor trends relating to the shape and character of the Game as it evolves.

“The Laws Representative Group were encouraged by the outcomes of the initial trials in Cambridge and Stellenbosch. The next step is a global trial with full buy-in and which has been approved by council on the basis that the amendments can have a positive effect on the playing of the game. The global trials are not fait accompli. It is essential at the end of the global trial process that decisions made are in the best interest of rugby worldwide.”

The five Law amendments to be trialled globally are:

1. Law 16.7 (Ruck): The ball has to be used within five seconds of it being made available at the back of a ruck with a warning from the referee to “use it”. Sanction – Scrum.

2. 19.2 (b) (Quick Throw-In) For a quick throw in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and the player’s goal line.

3. 19.4 (who throws in) When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line; or a scrum at the place of the knock-on. The non-offending team may exercise this option by taking a quick throw-in.

4. 21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements: Lineout alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw in. This is in addition to the scrum option.

5. A conversion kick must be completed within one minute 30 seconds from the time that a try has been awarded.

In addition to the global trials, the IRB Council approved three specific additional trials:

1. A trial to extend the jurisdiction of the TMO to incidents within the field of play that have led to the scoring of a try and foul play in the field of play to take place at an appropriate elite competition in order that a protocol can be developed for the November 2012 Tests.

2. A trial has been sanctioned for the November 2012 Test window permitting international teams to nominate up to eight replacements in the match day squad for Test matches. In line with current practice at domestic elite Rugby level, the additional player must be a qualified front row player.

3. An amendment to Law 3.4 (Sevens Variation) to enable Sevens teams to nominate up to five replacements/substitutes. Under the revision, which will operate from June 1 2012, a team may substitute or replace up to five players during a match. Approval has been granted on player welfare grounds to recognise the additional demands on players and squads owing to the expansion of the HSBC Sevens World Series where there are three blocks of three events on consecutive weekends.

The 2012 Game Management Guidelines are now available to download below or on the USAR website (Officiate the Game > 2012  Game Management Guidelines).

Download – 2012 Game Management Guidelines

Dear Referee Organization Chairs,

The IRB has issued three Rulings within the last week. Please distribute this to all Unions, clubs, Local Referee Organizations and referees in your area. Here is a synopsis or read below.

Please feel free to write or call if you have any questions.

Peter Watson
Chair USA Rugby Law Committee

2011 IRB Law Rulings

2011 IRB Ruling # 1 (June)

Front Row Replacements 13.12 (b)

This Ruling addresses the questions raised when some or all front replacements have been used and further front row replacements are needed due to injury. The question was framed in terms of non-contested scrums, although the answer goes beyond just that circumstance.

When a front row player has to be replaced:
· If there is a front row reserve that has not been used, he must be used even if this causes the referee to order non-contested scrums.
· If all the front row reserves have been used, but there is a front row player who was substituted out (tactical change) still available, that player must be used rather than any other player even if the referee has to order non-contested scrums.
This addresses the situation where the front row reserve available is not trained for that particular position (e.g. the second hooker is injured and the remaining reserves are only trained to prop). The IRB is saying that it is better to have a player with front row experience, even in non-contested scrums, than some other player.

2011 IRB Ruling # 2 (November)

Going to ground in a maul – Law 17

This Ruling addresses the rights and responsibilities of players in a maul when the player in possession of the ball goes to ground voluntarily.

BE SURE THERE IS A MAUL. Recognize the difference between a true maul and a “standing tackle” situation.

Before getting into the details, there are four points which must be emphasized:

• Referees must be sure the player with the ball went to ground by choice. Collapsing a maul is not an acceptable way to achieve a turnover.
• This does not produce a tackle situation and Tackle Law should not be applied.
• A player going to ground with the ball does not automatically turn the maul into a ruck. A ruck happens only if the requirements for a ruck are met – ball is on (touching) the ground and players are on their feet over it in physical contact.

When a player in possession goes to ground and the ball has touched the ground (and the other ruck requirements have been met), Ruck Law applies and all players must release the ball and refrain from handling it, and if on the ground they must move away.

When a player in possession goes to ground in a maul and the ball has not touched the ground, the ball must be made available immediately [17.6 (g)]. Otherwise a scrum or a penalty is awarded depending on the actions of the players.

• The player in possession has the right to TRY to go to ground with the ball. This right is not guaranteed without restriction, but is affected by the circumstances.
• The opponents have an equal right to try to keep the player with the ball up, and/or to try to take the ball away.
• Once the ball carrier is on the ground (“kneeling or sitting” as stated in the Ruling), things change. The player in possession is no longer legally part of the maul. [Definition of Maul]
• The player with the ball now has an obligation to make the ball immediately available if able to do so. [17.2 (d)]
• But an opponent who is holding the ball doesn’t have to let go. So if that’s the case, the ball carrier must release or face sanctions.
• There is no obligation to roll away (unless a ruck forms).

So if a player with the ball goes to ground and a ruck does not form, the ball must be out immediately. The onus is on the player who is on the ground to make the ball available.

The key decision points for the referee are:

• Was the maul collapsed illegally?
• Did the ball touch the ground, forming a ruck?
• If not a ruck, is the ball immediately available?
• If not, is there fault or was it simply the circumstances?

2011 IRB Ruling # 3 (November)

Offside under the 10-meter Law – 11.4

This Ruling addresses how the offside status of teammates of the kicker is changed by a charge-down or other type of play by the receiving team.

When a ball that was kicked in open play is touched or played by an opponent, the act of playing or touching it (willfully) puts offside teammates of the kicker onside [11.3(c)] EXCEPT a player who is offside under the 10-meter Law [11.4]. There is an exception which says that a charge-down puts all of the kicker’s teammates onside including those within ten meters [11.4(f)].

The question and the response in essence come down to one thing – was it a charge-down or was it simply a touching/playing of the ball. That is what the referee needs to determine when the ball is kicked and then touches or is played by an opponent.

The first part of the Ruling expands on and clarifies what was a somewhat murky definition of a charge-down:

THE ACT OF A CHARGE-DOWN IS ONE WHERE AN OPPOSITION PLAYER NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL APPROACHES A KICKER AT CLOSE QUARTERS AND MAKES AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK THE KICK.

This is a little clearer than what is in the Law Book in that it restricts a charge-down to “close quarters”.

2011 IRB Ruling # 4 (November)

Ball lost forward as a result of actions by an opponent.

This question asked about situations where an opponent “rips” the ball from a ball carrier. There were scenarios offered that looked at the ball coming out and going in a couple of different directions. The answer was expansive enough to cover other actions such as punching the ball out of a ball carrier’s grasp.

The IRB’s response is a significant change from what has been fairly common practice both in the US and around the world, which was to hold the ball carrier responsible for maintaining possession. The decision of knock-on or not a knock-on was made solely with respect to the ball carrier and the direction the ball went in (towards or away from the opponent’s dead ball line).

As a result of this Ruling, referees need to determine if the ball came out of the ball carrier’s grasp by an action of an opponent. If the opponent caused the ball to come out, then the knock-on or not a knock-on responsibility falls on the opponent of the ball carrier. Please note that this action must be the direct cause of the ball coming loose. A ball carrier who loses the ball forward when he/she hits the ground has still committed a knock-on.

IN EACH OF THE SCENARIOS OUTLINED THE BALL CARRIER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSING POSSESSION (and therefore the knock-on was caused by the opponent).

Peter Watson
USA Rugby Law Committee

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are currently experiencing an explosion in demand for well refereed and well run Sevens tournaments. As we prepare for the inaugural USA Rugby Collegiate 7s Championship, we have an opportunity to set the standard for future Collegiate 7s Championships. Now that the 2011 XVs season is over, it is time to put on our Sevens hats, so repeat after me . . .

SETTING STANDARDS EARLY – Because there are only have 14 minutes in each match, it is vital we set our stall from the beginning. Nobody – Players or referees – has time to warm up. Be ready mentally and physically to fire up and enforce standards at that first tackle and that first set piece.

KEEP THE BALL IN PLAY AS LONG AS LEGALLY POSSIBLE – Sevens is all about continuous play and as referees we need to do our best to accommodate this ? quick throw ins, quick penalty taps, etc. This does NOT mean overlooking infractions or lowering standards, but requires us to work even harder to manage situations first, and look for ways not to blow penalties instead of looking for ways to blow the whistle. Keep up with play and be sure to – get there – so we can use our presence as a further deterrent to negative or destructive play.

STRAIGHTEN OUT OUR RUNNING LINES – Play develops much more quickly in Sevens so it is important that we get to the breakdown quickly. Running around in arcs and diagonally across the pitch can lose valuable time in getting to the tackle/ruck. When the attacking side is advancing up the pitch, try and run parallel to the touchline and THEN slide over to the breakdown. Put yourself in a position to see the ball FIRST, then go through your sequence (tackler, ball carrier, arriving players) and make an accurate decision quickly, play on, penalty or unplayable. Being too deep on the defensive line or in the saddle position will lose you valuable seconds.

WORK AS A TEAM – Sevens is all about tournament play, as opposed to XVs, which is usually a single match. Work in concert with your fellow referees, matching standards as much as humanly possible, and agreeing on application of laws that will send a consistent message to all of the teams. Help and support each other on and off the pitch.

Paddy Mac
National Sevens Referee Manager
USA Rugby
Cell 323-899-2471

Posted by IRB Laws on November 24th, 2011