Law Discussion: The unusual
In the absence of clips because clever people were on holiday, we have been doing some law discussion. The clips will soon be back. There are a few interesting incidents from England’s Premiership and France’s Top 14.
1. Aliquid novi
Pliny the Elder, the ancient Roman philosopher, was amazed at Africa, saying, in Latin to prove how educated he was – Ex Africa semper aliquid novi (Strange things keep coming out of Africa). The same is true of rugby. There always seems to be something strange on the rugby field, and it often catches us unawares.
Sale Sharks played Newcastle Falcons and the Sharks were attacking with the ball in hand. Inside centre Tane Tu’ipulotu has the ball. Suddenly he leaps into the air towards his immediate opponent Kyle Tonetti of the Falcons, who is bent at the waist in preparation for the tackle, his arms out wide, like a plover whose nest is in danger.
Tonetti does not move forward but Tu’ipulotu lands on his shoulders. The referee allows for advantage but then comes back to Tonetti, penalising him with a warning that he was close to being sin-binned. The reason for the penalty was “not using your arms”.
Tonetti looks bewildered.
The commentators feel for Tonetti and one says: “There’s a ;law which says you can’t jump into contact.”
It certainly seems to be a wrong decision born of the sudden shock of the unexpected. Tonetti did not tackle Tu’ipulotu. Tu’ipulotu jumped into him. Tonetti did not move towards him. The impetus came entirely from Tu’ipulotu.
Should Tonetti have been penalised for an air-tackle. Hardly as he did not tackle Tu’ipulotu. Further it seems the air tackle is confined to catching kicks and jumping in the line-out – both efforts to get the ball, not a means of self-protection when playing with the ball.;
After all the difference between running and walking is that in running both feet are off the ground at the same time.
2. Doers it matter?
Stade Français gave the makeshift Toulouse side a 31-3 hiding. That means that Toulouse had more chances to kick off than Stade Français. Each time the Toulouse flyhalf, Nicolas Bézy, stepped a metre over the line as he kicked. Play was allowed to go on.
Law 13.1 (a) A team kicks off with a drop kick which must be taken at or behind the centre of the half way line.
(b) If the ball is kicked off with the wrong type of kick or from the incorrect place, the opposing team has two options
To have the ball kicked off again, or
To have a scrum at the centre of the half way line and they throw in the ball.
Clearly what Bézy did was an infringement. Does it matter?
If it does not matter, why did it? If it does not matter then kicking off correctly will not matter either.
For those sensitive to accusations of pedantry, a word in Bézy’s ear my have been enough.
* Nitpick: It’s the middle of the half-way line, not the centre.
3. Place – relevant?
Shaun Sowerby of Toulouse is under pressure as he tries to control a bouncing ball. Under pressure, from about four metres in from touch, he knocks the ball out over the touchline.
The referee ;penalises Sowerby. He gives the penalty where Sowerby knocked the ball into touch. Julien Dupuy kicked for goal and missed.
All OK?
No.
Law 10.2 (c) Throwing into touch. A player must not intentionally knock, place, push or throw the ball with his arm or hand into touch, touch-in-goal, or over the dead ball line.
Sanction: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line if the offence is between the 15-metre line and the touchline, or, at the place of infringement if the offence occurred elsewhere in the field of play, or, 5 metres from the goal line and at least 15 metres from the touchline if the infringement occurred in in-goal.
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.
The penalty should have been 15 metres in from touch, not four, which would have made Dupuy’s task a lot easier.
