IRB lays down the law - again

The International Rugby Board has again stressed the need for compliance in the application of the laws governing the tackle and the ruck and the scrum feed.

After a meeting with top referees and management at the Lensbury Club on Tuesday and Wednesday for the annual IRB High Performance Referee Conference and with the November Tests in mind, the IRB reiterated  its June directive to referees in the interest of consistency and a fair contest for possession, Referees were reminded of their obligation to operate a zero tolerance policy towards illegal entry, hands in the ruck, sealing off the ball, illegal clearing out and illegal scrum feeds.

The IRB said: "On some occasions players remain in that position and fail to move away contravening Law. Furthermore players are going to ground or on top of players after a tackle, thereby ensuring that the opposition cannot contest possession. Such actions are in breach of Laws 15.6 (g), 15.7 (c) and 15.7 (d)."

Their statement went on to detail problems:

Law 15 – Illegal Entry

Match officials will take action against players who enter the breakdown without any legitimacy. At a tackle or near to a tackle, other players who play the ball must enter the breakdown through the gate in accordance with Law 15.6 (c).

Law 15.6 (c) At a tackle or near to a tackle, other players who play the ball must do so from behind the ball and from directly behind the tackled player or the tackler closest to those players’ goal line.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 16 - Illegal Charging at the Ruck

Referees have been reminded to strictly police the actions of players who enter the breakdown and who fail to bind onto a player when they clear out in accordance with Law 16.2 (b). Charging into an opponent at the breakdown with the use of the shoulder and making no attempt to use the arms to tackle is to be treated as dangerous play.

Law 16.2 (b) A player joining a ruck must bind onto the ruck with at least one arm around the body of a team mate, using the whole arm.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
 
Law 16 - Ruck

It has become common practice for players to move the ball from rucks using their hands and to pick the ball up in a ruck to form a maul. It is also evident that players of the ball carrying team are being allowed to handle the ball in the ruck when defenders are being told to leave the ball alone.

Law 16.4 (d) is to be refereed at all times and applied to both the attacking and defending teams.

Law 16.4 (d) Players on the ground in or near the ruck must try to move away from the ball. These players must not interfere with the ball in the ruck or as it comes out of the ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 20 - Scrum Throw In

Referees have been instructed to enforce a zero tolerance policy towards illegal scrum feeds, which is in breach of Law 20.6 (d). Referees are to remind the scrum half of his obligations and then ensure that he is positioned in the middle and standing square to the scrum prior to the feed.

Law 20.6 (d) The scrum half must throw in the ball straight along the middle line, so that it first touches the ground immediately beyond the width of the nearer prop’s shoulders.
Penalty: Free Kick