LAWS OF RUGBY

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1777, 1 July 1926, Page 5

LAWS OF RUGBY

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

NEW ZEALAND REFEREES' i • EXECUTIVE.

At the last meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association, numerous points relating to the Rugby game were considered and should be noted by players and spectators. Questions relative to the Laws of the Game were received, and decisions thereon given as follow: — Question: A player takes a mark outside his 25, and retires, behind the 25 yard line to take the kick. Can he kick the ball into touch?—-Deci-sion: Yes.

Does the advantage rule apply to the line-out? —Excepting in the case of the ball not alighting at rightangles and failing to reach the five yard limit.

During an interchange of kicks a defending hack claimed a fair catch. Previous to doing so he was down on his* knees, and while in that position he came forward to meet the ball, being still on his knees when he caught it. Referee awardjed a penalty kick under law 11, section C. —The referee's ruling was a correct one. An attacking player ("A") when near the goa'l-line, knocks the ball on over the goal-line. "B," a defending player, in trying to gain possession, also knocks the ball forward. "A' eventually secures the ball and touches down. What is the correct ruling?—Scrummage at spot where the ball was knocked on by "A." Amended, rules: New sub-section P. (p) Not himself running for the ball wilfully charges or obstructs an opponent who has just kicked the ball. On breach of sub-section (p) the opposite shall be awarded at their option a free-kick (a) at the place of infringement, (b) at the spot where the ball alights. It was considered possibly an error in the printing" as far as clause (b) was concerned scrummage should have been inserted in place of a free-kick.—The rule is correct as printed, fr.ee-kick at (b). A player takes a mark outside his 25 yard line. In taking the kick he retires into his own 25, and kicks the ball out on the full- Should the line*out be at the spot 'where the ball crosses the touch-line or at the spot opposite the mark?—The ball to be thrown out where it crossed the touch line.

"A" are defending, and a line-out takes place, say, two yards from the goal-line. An "A player" throws-the ball back on his own side of the lineout, and an attacking player "B" steps forward and takes the ball, touching down for a try. What is the decision?—The ball must be thrown out to alight at right angles. Failure to do so scrummage ten yards out opposite the spot from where the ball was thrown.

What is the new penalty for a player stopping the ball going in five yards?— Free kick. It seems to be a very common practice to give a five yards scrummage in the case of an attacking'and a defending player touching down simultaneously. Is this correct, or should a drop-out be ordered?— 'Scrummage five yards out in the field opposite the spot correct. "A" team had, secured a try and were preparing to have a shot at goal. Just as "A" placer puts the ball on the ground a dog suddenly comes on the field and places itself in front of the ball and starts sniffing it. A player from the defending side having seen the ball put on the ground charges. "A" had no opportunity to kick the ball on account of the dog being directly in front of it. On the dog noticing the charger coming he moved away, but not before the charger had covered half the distance, which enabled him to kick the hall The kicker appealed for a re-kick, and charger appealed for nullification of the kick. What is the correct decision? —The referee should allow the kick under sub-section (d) of law 3. A try was scored, the ball was placed, and a goal kicked. The referee did not allow same, his reason being that the ball was not taken out straight. The referee observed that the ball wa s not taken out straight, and the goal wa s disallowed. Is it not the duty of the referee to see that the ball is brought out straight?—The onus is on the referee to see that the ball is brought out straight. If a referee allows the ball to be placed without drawing attention to the error and a goal is kicked the goal must stand.

In the event of waste time taking place after a try or force down, what is the penalty, and where should it take place?—No penalty kick to be awarded. Referee has power to allow extra.time for wasting time, vide law 3, section (f). In the event of both the referee and touch-judge being unable to decide to which side the ball belongs after being kicked into touch, can the referee order a scrummage opposite the spot, or must the ball be thrown-in by the defending side?—Referee must decide; if in doubt give it to the defending side. New rule regarding "five yards throw-in." What is to be done when the ball in the ifirst instance is not thrown out so as to alight at least five yards? Must the referee stop the game and order another throw?—Yes. Is a player who wilfully prevents the ball from being thrown-in five yards still to be penalised?—Yes. New rule regarding opponents having to remain passive on or behind the mark when a penalty free-kick is being taken. "A" opponents on the mark with their hands above their head.s fullv extended; but remaining absolutely passive. Is this permissable? — No: hands above head not allowed. When is the ball again in play for the opponents after a penalty kick has been awarded? That is to say opponents standing on or behind the mark. When can they attempt to play the ball?—'When the-ball has crossed the line of the mark.