Super 12 Week 1, Part 2

Incidents

After all the excitement and emotional effervescence of the Six Nations match in Dublin, the Super 12 law discussion looks like flat beer. But we shall push on with a few incidents. There are not many but we are doing them in the expectation of more and lest readers believe that our only interest is in the northern hemisphere.

1. Lazy runners

From a tackle the Chiefs go right. Anthony Tuitavake of the Chiefs darts down the right and gets will across the advantage line.

The ball comes back to Jimmy Cowan, the Chiefs' scrumhalf. He passes to his left. Some of the Blues players are retreating.  All off-side?

No. They are in off-side positions.

Keven Mealamu turns and tackles.

Off-side?

Not if he had reached an on-side position which would have been the last feet on his side when the ruck was formed. If indeed it was a  ruck.

If it had been only a tackle, not a ruck at all, those "lazy runners" could have played whenever they wanted to, as there is no off-side line at a tackle.

2. Against the post

The Brumbies are in an all-out assault on the Crusaders' line.

Big Owen Finegan picks up the ball and charges at the left-hand upright as he sees it. Justin Marshall and Reuben Thorne tackle Finegan. The ball is in his grasp when the presses it against the padding of the upright, about 35 centimetres above the ground.

Commentator 1: "Finegan's claiming he put it against the post, which is a try.

Commentator 2: "He got it against the post, but he has to place it on the ground next to the post as well."

Commentator 2 is right.

And so the referee awarded a scrum to the Brumbies.

3. Dangerous objects

First Justin Marshall and then, more painfully, Radike Samo were thrown against advertising hoardings at the side of the ground. These were made of metal, flimsy metal it is true.

Whose responsibility is it to see to such things.

Obviously at a great ground like Canberra Stadium it is primarily the responsibility of the stadium management.

If they get iota wring, as happened here, Law 1 kicks in.

Law 1.6 OBJECTIONS TO THE GROUND

(a) If either team has objections about the ground or the way it is marked out they must tell the referee before the match starts.

(b) The referee will attempt to resolve the issues but must not start a match if any part of the ground is considered to be dangerous.

Would the referee have been within his rights to have the hoardings removed?

Yes.

Most referees prefer not to seem officious in a match of this stature.

4. On or over

a. Inside his 22, Brent Ward, the Hurricanes' fullback, passes to his flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth. Gopperth, in his 22, moves forward and kicks for touch with his right foot. His left foot is on/near/above the 22.

b. Julian Huxley of the Reds kicks down towards the touch-line on his right. On/near touch is Rodney So'oialo catches the ball. He has both feet just in the field of play but his right foot moves back towards the touch-line - on/near, above the touch-line.

a. If Gopperth's left foot is on the 22-metre line, the kick is deemed to have been taken within the 22. If his has no contact with the line, he is deemed to be out side of the 22.

b. If So'oialo's right heel comes down on the line, he is in touch. If it is above the line he is not in touch.

Hard decisions. In both cases the touch judge was better positioned than the television camera.

5. Early jumper

The Crusaders throw in at a line-out. The ball is still in Crusader hooker Corey Flynn's hands when Kevin O'Neil of the Crusaders jumps. He lands and Sam Broomhall of the Crusaders jumps near the front.

The referee blows his whistle and uses the term "dummy jumpers" to explain why he is awarding a free kick to the Brumbies.

Law 19.9 (i) Jumping or supporting before the ball is jump for the ball or support any player before of the player throwing it in.
Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line