Comments on: New ruling on the tackle area

By: Vegemite whistler

Vegemite whistler — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:06:57 +0000

Interesting debate and yet the essential test here seems to be the definition of ‘ball in their hands’. If a player has legally gathered/taken the ball (ie has it in his/her hands)at the tackle according to law 15 and the ball is not on the ground a ruck (according to its law 16 definition) cannot form.
So long as the ball, at the time of post-tackle contest, is a fraction off the ground no ruck can form. Any contact between the gathering player and the arriving player will form part of a new contest for the ball or subsequent tackle (albeit a split second apart). I’m not convinced that there is any change to the way the game is played in Australia per ARU game management guidelines. That’s not to say, however, that all refs apply the ARU guidance correctly. Lets hope the IRB’s ruling clarifies the situation.

By: Ruckoff

Ruckoff — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Kevin May – I think there is a definite change and it applies in this scenario – A tackler on his feet contests for the ball from the tackled player (he does not have full possession at this point) opposition support players arrive and form a ruck, previously the referee would call ‘Hands off, ruck’. This is now not the case (as I see it), the tackler may continue to contest for the ball. The tackled player ‘should’ release the ball immediately, as we know this does not happen but now all the ref can do is penalise the tacked player for not releasing once a ruck is formed instead of penalising the tackler for hands in the ruck.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:39:42 +0000

Unless I’m mistaken, nothings changed???
If the tackler is on his feet he can gain possession UNLESS he’s ALREADY engaging with an opposition player……..in which case it’s a ruck and he can’t put his hands on the ball.
If he’s already gained possession BEFORE he’s been engaged by the opposition then it’s his ball and as he’s on his feet there never was a ruck. or am i missing something? – Browner

By: Zed

Zed — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:38:10 +0000

The real opensides will luv this…McCaw, Smith and Armitage will become even more of a threat at the tackle area.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:28:05 +0000

Potentially it could mean slower ball but more interestingly will it now mean a Re focus on low tackles and a real reward for genuine “jacklers”? There will have to be more of an emphasis placed on accuracy of the clean out (along with a need to work on hammers and latches pre contact) and will it now be realistically a case of “tackling the tacklers” I just hope all nations will give it a go as at current what we have is broke and needs fixing

By: Grant Lindsay

Grant Lindsay — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:03:58 +0000

This is an interesting clarification and will give the tackler a significant advantage. Currently the ARU Game Management Guidelines advise that if the tackler has his hands on the ball but the ball is in contact with the ground when a ruck forms (and remember the definition of a ruck) then the tackler must release the ball and its no hands from that point. This will mean that despite a ruck forming (as opposed to a maul) the tackler can maintain hands on the ball and attempt to create a maul situation or get the ball out to another player. Will make it interesting for the referee (and I’m one!).

By: eddie

eddie — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:24:27 +0000

AS I HAVE RECENTLY RETIRED FROM RUGBY AND PLAYED AT DIFFERENT STANDARDS OF RUGBY THROUGHOUT THE LEAGUES RANGING FROM PREM TO DIV3 WELSH LEAGUE I TRUELY BELIEVE THAT UNTIL WE HAVE A CONSISTANT REFEREEING DESCISIONS AND FURTHER TRAINING FOR REFS IN UNDERSTANDING THE RUCK WE WOULD NEVER HAVE TO CHANGE THE LAWS, PLAYERS WILL PLAY EVERY GAME KNOWING WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN NOT DO AT RUCKS INSTEAD OF STARING AT THE REF THINKING CAN I CANT I, EVERY GAME I WATCH THE RUCK IS REFED DIFFERENTLY EVERYTIME!

By: kimberly

kimberly — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:37:25 +0000

Amen. It’s about time there was a clear up of these laws.

As a player of 13 years, and a coach of the 4, it has always upset me to have agression to gain possession of the ball penalized.

Now having the laws clearcut, it should make the breakdowns a proper contest, without the close calls, that could go either direction by a referee in the moment.

By: bassferg

bassferg — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:22:39 +0000

If the tackler is contesting possession with the tackled player who, having been tackled is on the ground, and the ball is not on the ground then, even if opposition players join the contest, a ruck has not been formed as the ball is not in contact with the ground. As the tackled player has not released the ball after the tackle then he is guilty of “holding on” and a penalty should be awarded to the tackler.

By: Dan Cottrell

Dan Cottrell — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:52:13 +0000

Having read quite a few times now I think it is a charter for the jackler.

It will be in the interpretation of “in possession” that counts.

Anyway: some excellent rewordings here…thanks to all.