{"id":995,"date":"2010-03-12T09:18:05","date_gmt":"2010-03-12T15:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/texasrugbyunion.com\/?p=995"},"modified":"2015-08-19T19:06:24","modified_gmt":"2015-08-19T19:06:24","slug":"ruling-1-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/texasrugbyref.com\/2010\/03\/12\/ruling-1-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruling 1: 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"
100309 SG IRB Ruling 1, 2010<\/div>\n
To: Secretaries \/ CEOs of Unions and Regional Associations in Membership<\/div>\n
From: David Carrigy, Head of External & Member Relations<\/div>\n
Subject: Law Ruling by Designated Members of Rugby Committee<\/div>\n
Date: March 10, 2010<\/div>\n
Ruling: 1: 2010<\/div>\n
Request from the IRFU<\/div>\n
The IRFU request a Ruling related to Law 15.6 (c) as follows:<\/div>\n
\u201cLaw 15.6(c) was introduced in 2009, and the stated purpose was to write into<\/div>\n
Law Ruling No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004.<\/div>\n
We are of the firm opinion that 15.6(c) does not reflect accurately these Rulings:<\/div>\n
\u2022 The Rulings clearly deal with an opponent of a tackled player, who<\/div>\n
remains on his feet, and is on the tackled player\u2019s side of the tackle. This<\/div>\n
player must release and re-enter from his own side.<\/div>\n
\u2022 This is the only requirement within these Rulings in relation to a player on<\/div>\n
his feet who is an opponent of the tackled player.<\/div>\n
\u2022 The Rulings also state that players can play the ball if they have come<\/div>\n
from their own side, and are on their feet. There is no requirement within<\/div>\n
the Rulings for a player, who has always been on his side of the tackle,<\/div>\n
to release the ball.<\/div>\n
\u2022 As written 15.6(c) is inclusive of all players on their feet, and this does<\/div>\n
not meet the objective of the Rulings.<\/div>\n
Furthermore, Law 15.6(c) is anomalous and in contradiction with several other<\/div>\n
sections within the totality of Law 15 \u2013 particularly 15.5(b) and 15.6(b).<\/div>\n
We ask the Designated Members to consider the above observations and to<\/div>\n
determine if a re-write (or clarification) of 15.6(c) is necessary so it reflects<\/div>\n
correctly and accurately the Rulings No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004,<\/div>\n
and to remove the current anomaly in Law.<\/div>\n
100309 SG IRB Ruling 1 2010 Page 2 of 3<\/div>\n
In view of the recent focus and discussions in relation to this Law, we would<\/div>\n
also ask that this request is treated with the utmost urgency.\u201d<\/div>\n
Ruling of the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee<\/div>\n
In the Designated Members opinion the Law amendment, Law 15 6 (c) reflects<\/div>\n
the Rulings 13 \u2013 2008, 3 and 8 2004. In order to clarify the situation the<\/div>\n
Designated Members\u2019 comments are included below.<\/div>\n
A player who is brought to the ground when carrying the ball is a tackled player.<\/div>\n
(Definition)<\/div>\n
A player who goes to ground when tackling a player is known as a tackler.<\/div>\n
(Definition)<\/div>\n
A player who brings a player to ground who is carrying the ball is not a tackler<\/div>\n
(Definition), however, this player has completed a tackle.<\/div>\n
A tackler must release the tackled player (Law15.4 (a)).<\/div>\n
The tackled player must pass or release the ball (Law 15.5(b)).<\/div>\n
The tackled player may release the ball by putting the ball on the ground in any<\/div>\n
direction (Law15.5 (c)).<\/div>\n
The tackled player may release the ball by pushing the ball along the ground<\/div>\n
(Law15.5 (d)).<\/div>\n
However, if opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the<\/div>\n
tackled player must release the ball (Law15.5 (e)).<\/div>\n
Players arriving at a tackle may play the ball providing they are on their feet<\/div>\n
(Law15.6 (b)).<\/div>\n
Players who were attached to the player who is tackled and who remain on their<\/div>\n
feet must release the player and the ball (Law15.6 (c)) and then may play the<\/div>\n
ball in accordance with Law15.6 (b).<\/div>\n
Law Ruling 8 of 2004 stated that the players who are not tacklers are covered<\/div>\n
by Law 15.7(c) (2008 Law) and those players can only play the ball if they<\/div>\n
approach from behind the ball and from directly behind the tackled player or the<\/div>\n
tackler closest to those players\u2019 goal-line.<\/div>\n
100309 SG IRB Ruling 1 2010 Page 3 of 3<\/div>\n
To approach behind the tackled player means the tackle has taken place and<\/div>\n
the revised Law 15.6 (c) (2009) makes that very clear.<\/div>\n
Law 15.6 (c) as written reflected the views of the Designated Members in 2004<\/div>\n
and now, Law 15.6 (c) is part of the Law amendments circulated to all Unions in<\/div>\n
2009 and was accepted by the Rugby Committee and Council.<\/div>\n
Yours sincerely,<\/div>\n
David Carrigy<\/div>\n
Head of External & Member Relations<\/div>\n

Date:<\/strong> March 10, 2010
\nRuling<\/strong>: 1: 2010
\nRequest from the IRFU<\/strong><\/p>\n

The IRFU request a Ruling related to Law 15.6 (c) as follows:
\n\u201cLaw 15.6(c) was introduced in 2009, and the stated purpose was to write into\u00a0Law Ruling No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004. \u00a0We are of the firm opinion that 15.6(c) does not reflect accurately these Rulings: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n