IRB tells refs to comply

Following the meeting of its Council, the International Rugby Board has sent out an instruction to referees, calling for greater compliance in refereeing the tackle/ruck and the feed into the scrum.

The IRB Council Decision – Match Protocols/Policy Areas

The Council at its Annual Meeting 2008 agreed on the following match protocols/policy areas. Unions are asked to ensure that this letter is brought to the attention of National Coaches, Referee Managers and IRB Panel Referees.

The following applies to all levels of the Game (save for those specifically identified as applying to IRB appointed match officials only) and should be communicated to players, coaches and match officials in all Unions.

Council confirmed that match officials MUST referee the tackle (Law 15) and Ruck (Law 16) in accordance with the written Laws.

Law 15 Tackle

It has become evident that players are going to ground over or on ball carriers which has become known as sealing off. On some occasions they remain in that position and fail to move away contravening Law.

The IRB sent out a DVD showing examples of players going to ground with the ball carrier sealing off the ball from the opposition and on most occasions failing to roll away at the breakdown. There are also examples of players going to ground or on top of players after a tackle thereby ensuring that the opposition cannot contest possession.

These examples show players in breach of Laws 15.6 (g) 15.7 (c) and Law 15.7 (d).

Referees are requested to be more vigilant in this area of the Game and to ensure that both teams are treated equally at the breakdown.

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. The DVD also shows examples of players of the ball carrying team being allowed to handle the ball in the ruck when defenders are being told to leave the ball.

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

Law 20 Scrum Throw-in

The Laws Project Group scrum working party met recently in London and discussion took place on the continual non-compliance of scrumhalves to feed the ball into the centre of the tunnel. Law 20.6 (d)

Council endorsed a protocol whereby from June 1, 2008 onwards at the awarding of each scrum and prior to having the front rows go through the engagement procedure the referee is to remind the scrumhalf of his obligations and then ensure that he is positioned in the middle and standing square to the scrum prior to the feed.

Law 4 Players Clothing

The Law in relation to inspection of Players clothing is covered in Law 4.5 (a), (b) and (c).

Regulation 12 governs what is and what is not allowed to be worn by players. Council endorsed the following protocol:

For all Internationals from June 1, 2008 the following protocol is to be followed by Match Officials prior to a match commencing.

* The practice of checking players clothing in the dressing rooms at the time of the stud check will continue.
* The two Assistant Referees will then carry out another inspection of players clothing as the team assembles in the tunnel prior to going onto the field.
* Any subsequent breach of Regulation 12 once the Match commences will be dealt with under Law 4.5 (c) and the offending player will be ordered from the field.

The Laws quoted are:

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

Law 15.7 (c) No player may fall on or over the tackled player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

(d) No player may fall on or over the players lying on the ground after a tackle with the ball between or near to them.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 16.4 (b) Players must not handle the ball in a ruck.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 20.6 (d) The scrumhalf 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

Law 4.5 INSPECTION OF PLAYERS’ CLOTHING

(a) The referee or the touch judges appointed by or under the authority of the match organiser must inspect the players’ clothing and studs for conformity to this Law.

(b) The referee has power to decide at any time, before or during the match, that part of a player’s clothing is dangerous or illegal. If the referee decides that clothing is dangerous or illegal the referee must order the player to remove it. The player must not take part in the match until the items of clothing are removed.

(c) If, at an inspection before the match, the referee or a touch judge tells a player that an item banned under this Law is being worn, and the player is subsequently found to be wearing that item on the playing area, that player is sent off for misconduct.
Penalty: A penalty kick is awarded at the place where play is restarted.

For Regulation 12, see http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/0/060924gfirbregulation12_879.pdf