Law Discussion: Fair contest
“Fair contest” is a regular cry in rugby football in these days of increased predictability.
“Fair contest” we cry at the put-in to the scrum. “Fair contest” we cry when the ball is thrown into the line-out. And “fair contest” we cry at the tackle.
Getting players to stay on their feet is a part of the fair tackle. Coming in at the right angle is a part of the fair contest. Not bridging and not sealing off are part of the fair contest.
Remember all of that and then remember the last minutes of the match between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers.
After Toby Flood had scored and converted a try the Saints led 17-13 with 20m minutes to go. The 20 minutes started to wear out and the Tigers became more and more desperate. With a few minutes left Northampton got the ball.
They then fell into a routine. The ball was not going to move from the forwards. At most there was one pass to a forward. The receiver would immediately have at least one team-mate clinging to him, mostly somewhere on his back. The ball-carrier would immediately start going down to ground. When he got to the ground the player clinging to him was still clinging to him and would be beyond his back, closer to the opponents. In that position he made no effort whatsoever to roll away.
The principle of fair contest did not exist.
Tigers had no earthly chance of getting the ball.
In the midst of this studied tedium, Tigers were the one penalised.
It was wrong, wrong, wrong. It was bad for the game. It was contrary to the Laws of the Game.
Law 15.5 (a) A tackled player must not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opponents from gaining possession of it, and must try to make the ball immediately available so that play can continue.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the place of infringement.
Law 15.6 (g) After a tackle, any player lying on the ground must not prevent an opponent from getting possession of the ball.
Penalty: Penalty Kick on the place of infringement.
