Here are the latest Law Trials that will be happening in Wellington Club Rugby this year.
More information about the specific laws are here on the World Rugby website.
This is Version 4 issued 15 March 2022
Goal Line Drop Out
Q – Does the kick need to be kicked from under the posts?
A – No, anywhere along the goal line.
Q – What distance does the ball have to travel? 5m?
A – The goal line drop out must be taken on or behind the goal line and must cross the 5m line.
Q – Where do the defenders have to stand? 5m?
A – At least 5m.
Q – If the ball doesn’t travel 5m, do we restart with a 5m scrum in front of the posts?
A – YES! It is a scrum for the attacking side in the centre of the field, 5m from the goal line or a re-kick.
Q – If the ball doesn’t travel 5m, can an opponent play the ball and score a try?
A – Advantage can be applied and the opponent can play the ball and score a try.
However, if a player is in front of the 5m line and delays or obstructs the goal line dropout, it is a PK or, if the player advances in front of 5m line before the ball is kicked it is a FK.
Q – If an opponent prevents or delays the goal line drop out being taken or charges it down without starting on or behind the 5m line, is it a PK?
A – Yes. PK for preventing the goal line drop out.
Q – If the Goal line Drop-out goes directly into touch (out on the full), does the opposition have options (scrum, lineout, re-kick or quick throw-in)?
A – Yes. All 4 options are available to the non-kicking team. If they choose a lineout, it is formed 5m from the goal line. If they choose a scrum, it is formed 5m from the goal line in the centre of the field (in front of the posts).
Q – Can the drop kick be taken quickly, with teammates in front of the kicker (if they retire or remain stationary) or should all players be behind the kicker?
A – The Goal line Drop-out can be taken quickly. Players in front of the kick must continue to retire until they are put onside.
Q: When a Goal line Drop-out is taken, can the opposition catch the ball and immediately
kick a Drop-goal?
A: Yes.
Flying Wedge
Q: If a flying wedge is formed, when should it be penalised?
A: When it is formed as the formation is illegal so it does not have to make contact prior to
sanction.
Q: Why is the flying wedge illegal?
A: It is a safety issue with effectively 3 or more players running into defender/s.
Q: If Team ‘A’ throws the ball into a lineout and win the throw and the players of Team ’A’
bind onto their team-mate who has possession of the ball, and the opposition do NOT
engage, this is not a maul. Is it a ‘wedge’?
A: No, it is not a ‘wedge’. As long as the ball is in possession of the foremost player, the
body of players can move forward.
Q: If Team ‘A’ has the ball in a maul and move forward but, as they are moving forward the
opposition players splinter/peel away, thereby creating a situation where there are no
opposing players preventing the maul from continuing to move, can the maul keep moving
forward or is it deemed to be a ‘wedge’?
A: No, it is not a wedge. The maul continues to exist despite the fact that the opposition
players are no longer engaged in the maul, therefore it can keep moving.
50:22
Q – Only 50:22 or should we apply it for 22:50 also?
A – Only 50:22.
Q – Can you kick a 50:22 from a FK?
A – Yes.
Q – Does the ball have to bounce into touch?
A – Yes!
Q – If you take the ball into your own half, what has to happen before a 50:22 can be kicked?
A – The opposition touches/plays the ball, OR, there is a tackle, OR, a ruck or maul is formed.
Game Situations to consider relative to the 50:22 Law:
Example A:
- Ruck originates in own half
- Ball is then kicked from inside own half and bounces into touch in opposition 22m
- Kicking team throws into the lineout
Example B:
- Ruck originates in own half
- Ball is then kicked from inside own half and goes directly into touch (out on the full) in the opposition 22m
- Defending team throws into the lineout from where the kick was taken – No change to current laws
Example C:
- Ruck originates in opposition half
- Ball is then passed back into own half, kicked and bounces into touch in opposition 22m
- Defending team throws into the lineout
Example D:
- Ruck originates in own 22
- Ball is then kicked from inside own 22 and bounces into touch in opposition 22m
- Kicking team throws into the lineout
Example E:
- Possession originates in opposition half
- Defence then drives the attack back through multiple phases
- The final ruck is in the kicking team’s own half
- Ball is then kicked from inside own half and bounces into touch in opposition 22m
- Kicking team throws into the lineout
Example F:
- Lineout or Scrum on halfway
- Ball is then kicked from inside own half and bounces into touch in opposition 22m
- Kicking team throws into the lineout
Latcher
Q – What does it mean to be a latcher in support of the ball carrier?
A – The the support player is bound (shoulder to hand) to the ball carrier.
Q – If the latcher attaches in the field of play but finishes off feet in-goal on top of the ball carrier, is it still a PK ?
A – If the ball is over the goal line you can be off your feet. Play on.
Q – Can a defender still hit/contact the latcher?
A – Yes, as long as the latcher is ‘bound’ to the ball carrier.
Q – Can a defender tackle the latcher?
A – No. You cannot tackle the latcher because he/she is not in possession of the ball.
Q – If the latcher falls onto the ground but does not prevent a potential contest, is it still a PK?
A – No.
Q – If the latcher throws or pushes the ball carrier into the tackler before the collision, is it a PK?
A – Yes. If the ball carrier is clearly pushed, a PK should be given as it is dangerous play.
Q – What does “pre-bound” mean?
A – It means that they’re fully bound, from shoulder to hand with one arm on torso of ball carrier.
EDSLVs
Q – Why do they not apply to some 1xt XV grades?
A – To accommodate the desire to have the “higher” end of the teenage game playing at a higher level or closer to senior rugby.
Q – What must the receiver/catcher of a ball kicked in open play do?
A – Either run with the ball or pass it immediately?
Q – When can a receiver/catcher of a ball kicked in open play be tackled?
A – After they have taken a step if they elect to run (they cannot be tackled until they have taken a step with the ball).
Q – If the receiver/catcher of a ball kicked in open play does not either pass the ball or run with it immediately, what should the referee do?
A – Free kick against the receiver/catcher.
Q – What should the referee do if the receiver/catcher of the ball kicked in open play jumps to catch the ball?
A – Free kick against the receiver/catcher.
Q – Why are scrums only allowed to be pushed 1.5m in areas of the field except 5m scrums?
A – We still want the option of scoring a try via a 5m push over at the scrum.
Q – Can players still jump to receive a kick off or restart in play?
A – Yes.
Q – Will referees communicate to manage scrum that look like they may/will be pushed more than 1.5m?
A – Yes this would be an expectation.
Q: For a scrum that is set 5m from a goal line, what distance can the defending team push
the scrum?
A: Unlimited.
Q: If a grade of rugby is subject to existing DSLV Scrum Law (as all Secondary School grades
are, for instance), can a scrum be pushed any further than 1.5m in any part of the field?
A: No!
Q: If a collapsed scrum leads to the option of an uncontested scrum or a Free Kick, can a
contested scrum option be taken instead of the Free Kick?
A: No.
Q: If the assembly and formation of a scrum fails before the scrum begins, should it be reset
or is it subject to the EDSLV ‘reset scrum’ Law?
A: The scrum should be reset. The EDSLV is not applicable until the scrum begins (ie. the
ball leaves the hands of the player throwing it in).
Q: If a scrum fails and the option of a Free Kick or Uncontested Scrum is offered, can a Free
Kick be taken quickly, before the opposition have set up at their offside line?
A: No. The opposition must be given an opportunity to get to their offside line.
Game Priorities
Q – What is the reason for having these?
A – To keep our players safe and to create a better game to coach, play, referee and watch.
Q – What do we mean by 1 dynamic movement?
A – A movement which allows the ball carrier to place the ball. Any movement which propels the ball carrier forward is not allowed.
Q – What does “east to west” mean?
A – Towards either sideline.
Q – What does it mean for a cleaner/clearer to “go through the gate”?
A – They must enter by running in the direction of goal line to goal line.
Q – Must arriving players at a tackle/ruck remain on their feet in order to drive through the phase rather than dive/go off their feet?
A – Yes.
Q – What must an assist tackler show before going for the ball (jackle)?
A – A clear release.
Q – In order for a jackler to be rewarded, what must happen?
A – The jackler must be there first, be balanced on their feet and show a clear lift of the ball.
Q – Can a jackler first put their hands on the ground for support before going for the ball?
A – No.
Q – If a player is in front of a team-mate who kicks the ball, will there be zero tolerance on them moving forward before being put on-side?
A – Yes.
Q – When monitoring offsides at set piece, will equal emphasis be given to both teams?
A – Yes.
Head Contact Process
Q – Why is the focus on the tackler and not the ball carrier?
A – The vast majority of head injuries occur due to tackler error.
Q – If a collapsed scrum leads to the option of an uncontested scrum or a Free Kick, can a contested scrum option be taken instead of the Free Kick?
A – No.
