Clubs, schools playing under same set of rules
21st March 2010 06:31PM
By BLAIR COLLIER - Referee's corner - Waikato Times
After last year's time spent in club and schools' rugby with experimental law variations we are now back to a normal state where all rugby is played under one set of laws.
That is apart from the domestic safety law variations used for under-21 and below in this country.
Throughout 2009, club and secondary school rugby competitions were played using 13 Experimental Law Variations (ELVs). Last May, the IRB adopted 10 of the ELVs into Law proper, meaning the term ELV is now confined to the history books and the ELVs no longer exist.
An off-season review of how the game was being played at representative and international level has also seen some new interpretations of existing laws with the aim of adding to the enjoyment of all stakeholders in the game.
You will have seen many of these in action while watching Super 14 rugby, and pleasantly we will apply the same rulings at club and school level as what you are all seeing on TV this year, unlike previous seasons. So let's look at where referee interpretations will change a bit this year.
Tackle – as seen on TV, big emphasis is now going on the tackler to completely release the ball carrier before he gets to his feet and competes for the ball.
Tacklers caught up in the tackle need to make a real effort to get clear of the ball.
Referees' aim here is to get greater continuity in the game with the ball recycled quicker and easier for the ball carriers. It's hoped teams will back their ability to recycle ball at the breakdown and kick less.
Players arriving at the tackle early, who enter legally and get their hands on the ball before a ruck forms, can continue to contest possession with their hands until they go off their feet.
So good loose forwards will still be worth their weight in gold around the breakdown if they are there quick enough and get the technique right.
Maul – obstruction at lineout maul time has also been reviewed with lifters shifting into blocking positions well ahead of the ball, being offside and denying a contest for possession.
Referees will penalise for offside when this is seen as clear and obvious.
Kickoff – obstruction of attacking players aiming to come through and contest possession at kickoff will be watched carefully as is becoming more prevalent.
Offside – more compliance will be required when players in front of their kicker start advancing from an offside position. They must wait for an on-side chaser from their team to put them on side (by running past them). Players are often unsure of this law, in which case they should talk to the referee pre-game to avoid finding out the hard way on the field.
Scrum – more emphasis on head and shoulders being above the hips of front row players at set-up, and the touch part of the engagement call actually being a real touch with full hand placed on the shoulder of the opposition. The aim here is to reduce the number of resets.
Halfbacks will be encouraged to feed the ball on engagement, leaving less time for scrums issues before the ball emerges.
Binding – No 8's shoulder must be attached to the scrum prior to engagement, he can not slingshot from a totally unbound position.
Let's hope that all of this has the result we are all looking for, by creating a game where the ball is contestable at every phase, and well trained teams that execute the basics well can retain continuity and provide for a free flowing open and enjoyable game for all.
That is most definitely the referees aim this year.
