Rugby Union Rules

[edit] Object of the Game

The Object of the Game is that two teams of fifteen, ten or seven players each, observing fair play according to the Laws and sporting spirit, should advance the ball by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball score as many points as possible, the team scoring the greater number of points being the winner of the match.

Rugby Union is a sport which involves physical contact. Any sport involving physical contact has inherent dangers. It is very important that players play the game in accordance with the Laws of the Game and be mindful of the safety of themselves and others. It is the responsibility of those who coach or teach the game to ensure that players are prepared in a manner which ensures compliance with the Laws of the Game and in accordance with safe practices.

It is the duty of the referee to apply fairly all the Laws of the Game in every match except when an experimental law has been authorized by the IRB Council. It is the duty of the Unions to ensure that the Game at every level is conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behavior. This principle cannot be upheld solely by the referee; its observance also rests on Unions, affiliated bodies and clubs.

[edit] Definitions

Actual time - Elapsed time including time lost for any reason. Attacking Team - the oppoents of the defending team in whose half of the ground play is taking place there.

Ball-carrier - a player carrying the ball

Beyond or Behind or In Front of a Position - Means with both feet, except where the context makes that inappropriate

Binding - grasping firmly another player’s body between the shoulder and the hips with the whole arm in contact from hand to shoulder

Dead - the ball is out of play. This happens when the ball has gone outside the playing area and remained there, or when the referee has blown the whistle to indicate a stoppage in play, or when a conversion kick has been taken.

Defending Team - the team in whose half of the ground play is taking place; their opponents are the Attacking Team

Drop Kick - the ball is dropped from the hand or hands to the ground and kicked as it rises from its first bounce

Goal: A player scores a goal by kicking the ball over an opponents' cross bar and between the goal posts from the field of play, by a place kick or drop-kick. A goal cannot be scored from a kick-off, drop-out or free kick.

Hindmost Foot - the foot of the hindmost player in a scrum, ruck or maul which is nearest that player's goal-line

Hooker - the middle front row player in a scrum

In-field - away from touch and towards the middle of the field

Kick - a kick is made by hitting the ball with any part of the leg or foot, except the heel, from the toe to the knee but not including the knee; a kick must move the ball a visible distance out of the hand, or along the ground

Line Through the Mark or Place - unless stated otherwise, a line parallel to the touch-line

Match Organiser - the organisation responsible for the match which may be a union, a group of unions or an organisation affiliated to the International Rugby Board

No side - the end of the match.

Off-side Line - an imaginary line across the ground, from one touch-line to the other, parallel to the goal-lines; the position of this line varies according to the Law Off-side the 10

Out of Play - this happens when the ball or the ball carrier has gone into touch or touch-in-goal, or touched or crossed the dead-ball line

Oversteps - a player steps across a line with one or both feet; the line may be real (for example, goal-line) or imaginary (for example, off-side line)

Pass - a player throws the ball to another player; if a player hands the ball to another player without throwing it, this is also a pass

Place Kick - the ball is kicked after it has been placed on the ground for that purpose

Placer - a player who holds the ball on the ground for a team-mate to kick

Played - the ball is played when it is touched by a player

Playing time - The time that has been played excluding time lost as defined in Law 5 Time.

Possession - this happens when a player is carrying the ball or a team has the ball in its control; for example, the ball in one half of a scrum or ruck is in that team’s possession

Punt - the ball is dropped from the hand or hands and kicked before it touches the ground

Red card - A card, red in colour, shown to a player who has been sent off for contravening Law 10 Foul Play.

Scrum: Law 20 - formerly named 'scrummage'; this happens when players from each team come together in scrum formation so that play can be started by throwing the ball into the scrum

Scrum Half - a player nominated to throw the ball into a scrum

Union - the controlling body under whose jurisdiction the match is played; for an international match it means the International Rugby Board or a Committee of the Board

Yellow card - A card, yellow in colour, shown to a player who has been cautioned and temporarily suspended for 10 minutes' playing time.

[edit] Positions

1. Loosehead prop 
2. Hooker 
3. Tighthead prop 
4. Second-row or Lock 
5. Second-row or Lock
6. Blindside flanker 
7. Openside flanker 
8. No.8 
9. Scrum-half (also known as half-back) 
10. fly-half (also known as stand-off or out-half or first five-eighth) 
11. Left wing 
12. Inside centre 
13. Outside centre 
14. Right wing 
15. Fullback

Difference between a Loosehead prop and Tighthead prop: A loosehead prop lines up for the scrum on the left hand side of the hooker in the front-row, and the tigthead prop on the right hand side of the hooker. When the two front-rows interlock with each other for the scrum, the loosehead has one side of his head out of the scrum (the left side), and scrummages against the opposition tighthead. The tighthead has both sides of his head in the scrum, and scrummages against the loosehead.

Difference between an Openside and Blindside Flanker The blindside or 'shortside' relates to the position on the pitch where the ball is. For example if the ball is near the left hand touchline, anything left of the ball would be referred to as the 'blindside' (the smaller side of the field), and anything right of the ball would be 'openside' (the bigger side). A blindside flanker therefore is the flanker who takes the blindside position in the scrum. If there was a scrum near the left hand touchline, the blindside flanker would line up on the left side of the scrum, and the openside on the right. If the scrum forms exactly in the centre of the pitch then there would be no specific blindside or openside, and flankers would generally agree to scrummage on either the right or the left.

[edit] Laws

[edit] Law 1-Ground

Definitions for the Ground: The Field-of-play is the area between the goal-lines and the touch-lines. These lines are not part of the field-of-play.

The Playing Area is the field-of-play and the in-goal areas. The touch-lines, touch-in-goal lines and dead-ball lines are not part of the playing area.

The Playing Enclosure is the playing area and a space around it, not less than 5 metres where practicable, which is known as the perimeter area.

In-goal is the area between the goal-line and the dead-ball line, and between the touch-in-goal lines. It includes the goal-line but it does not include the dead-ball line or the touch-in-goal lines.

‘The 22’ is the area between the goal-line and the 22-metre line, including the 22-metre line but excluding the goal-line.

1 SURFACE OF THE PLAYING ENCLOSURE

1.1 (a) Requirement. The surface must at all times be safe to play on.

1.1 (b) Type of surface. The surface should be grass but may also be sand, clay, snow or artificial grass. The game may be played on snow, provided the snow and underlying surface is safe to play on. It shall not be a permanently hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. In the case of artificial grass surfaces, they must conform to IRB Regulation 22.

2 REQUIRED DIMENSIONS FOR THE PLAYING ENCLOSURE

(a) Dimensions. The field-of-play does not exceed 100 metres in length and 70 metres in width. Each in-goal does not exceed 22 metres in length and 70 metres in width.

(b) The length and breadth of the playing area are to be as near as possible to the dimensions indicated. All the areas are rectangular.

3 LINES ON THE PLAYING ENCLOSURE

(a) Solid lines

The dead ball lines and touch-in-goal lines, both of which are outside the in-goal areas;

The goal-lines, which are within the In-goal areas but outside the field-of-play;

The 22-metre lines; which are parallel to the goal-lines

The half-way line which is parallel to the goal-lines; and

The touch-lines which are outside the field-of-play.

(b) Broken Lines

The 10-metre lines, which run from one touch-line to the other, and 10 metres from each side of the half-way line and parallel to it; and

The 5-metre lines, which run from one 5-metre dash line to the other, are 5 metres from and parallel to the touch-lines.

The 15-metre lines, which link the 5-metre dash lines, are 15 metres from and parallel to the touch-lines.

(c) Dash Lines

(i) Six lines, each 1 metre long, 5 metres in from and parallel to each goal-line, positioned 5 metres and 15 metres from each touch-line and in front of each goal post.

(ii) Five dash lines, each being 1 metre long, 15 metres in from and parallel to each of the touch-lines, intersecting the 22-metre lines, the 10-metre lines and the half-way line.

(iii) Two dash lines each 1 metre long, 15 metres from each of the touch-lines, which start and end at the 5-metre dash line.

(iv) One dash line of half a metre long intersects the centre of the half-way line.

All the lines must be suitably marked out according to the plan.

4 DIMENSIONS FOR GOAL POSTS AND CROSS BARS

(a) The distance between the two goal posts is 5.6 metres.

(b) The crossbar is placed between the two goal posts so that its top edge is 3.0 metres from the ground.

(d) New When padding is attached to the goal posts the distance from the goal – line to the external edge of the padding must not exceed 300mm.

5 FLAG POSTS

(a) There are 14 flag posts with flags, each with a minimum height of 1.2 metres above the ground.

(b) Flag posts must be positioned at the intersection of touch-in-goal lines and the goal-lines and at the intersection of the touch-in-goal lines and the dead ball lines. These eight flag posts are outside the in-goal area and do not form part of the playing area.

(c) Flag posts must be positioned in line with the 22-metre lines and the half-way line, 2 metres outside the touch-lines and within the playing enclosure.

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.

[edit] Law 2-The Ball

1 SHAPE

The ball must be oval and made of four panels.

2 DIMENSIONS

Length in line: 280 - 300 millimetres Circumference (end to end): 740 - 770 millimetres Circumference (in width): 580 - 620 millimetres

3 MATERIALS

Leather or similar synthetic material. It may be treated to make it water resistant and easier to grip.

4 WEIGHT

410 - 460 grams

5 AIR PRESSURE AT THE START OF PLAY

65.71-68.75 kilopascals, or 0.67 - 0.70 kilograms per square centimetre, or 9.5 -10 lbs per square inch.

6 SPARE BALLS

Spare balls may be available during a match, but a team must not gain or attempt to gain an unfair advantage by using them or changing them.

7 SMALLER BALLS

Balls of different sizes may be used for matches between younger players.

[edit] Law 3-Number of players-The Team

Definintions

A Team. A team consists of fifteen players who start the match plus any authorised replacements and/or substitutes.

Replacement. A player who replaces an injured team mate.

Substitute. A player who replaces a team mate for tactical reasons.

1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THE PLAYING AREA

Maximum: each team must have no more than fifteen players on the playing area.

2 TEAM WITH MORE THAN THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Objection: at any time before or during a match a team may make an objection to the referee about the number of players in their opponents’ team. As soon as the referee knows that a team has too many players, the referee must order the captain of that team to reduce the number appropriately. The score at the time of the objection remains unaltered.

3 WHEN THERE ARE FEWER THAN FIFTEEN PLAYERS

A Union may authorise matches to be played with fewer than fifteen players in each team. When that happens, all the Laws of the Game apply except that each team must have at least five players in the scrum at all times.

Exception: matches between teams of seven-a-side are an exception. These matches are covered by the Seven-a-Side Variations to the Laws of the Game.

4 PLAYERS NOMINATED AS SUBSTITUTES

For international matches a Union may nominate up to seven replacements/substitutes. For other matches, the Union with jurisdiction over the match decides how many replacements/substitutes may be nominated.

5 SUITABLY TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS IN THE FRONT ROW

(a) The table below indicates the numbers of suitably trained and experienced players for the front row when nominating different numbers of players. No. of players Number of Suitably Trained and Experienced Players 15 or less 3 players who can play in the front row 16, 17 or 18 4 players who can play in the front row 19, 20, 21 or 22 5 players who can play in the front row

(b) Each player in the front row and any potential replacement(s) must be suitably trained and experienced.

(c) When 19, 20, 21 or 22 players are nominated in a team, there must be five players who can play in the front row of the scrum to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with congtested scrums.

(d) The replacement of a front row forward may come from suitably trained and experienced players who started the match or from the nominated replacements.

6 SENT OFF FOR FOUL PLAY

A player sent off for foul play must not be replaced or substituted. For an exception to this Law, refer to Law 3,14.

7 PERMANENT REPLACEMENT

A player may be replaced if injured. If the player is permanently replaced, that player must not return and play in that match. The replacement of the injured player must be made when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee.

8 THE DECISION FOR PERMANENT REPLACEMENT

(a) When a national representative team is playing in a match, a player may be replaced only when, in the opinion of a doctor, the player is so injured that it would be unwise for that player to continue playing in that match.

(b) In other matches, where a Union has given explicit permission, an injured player may be replaced on the advice of a medically trained person. If none is present, that player may be replaced if the referee agrees.

9 THE REFEREE'S POWER TO STOP AN INJURED PLAYER FROM CONTINUING

If the referee decides – with or without the advice of a doctor or other medically qualified person – that a player is so injured that the player should stop playing, the referee may order that player to leave the playing area. The referee may also order an injured player to leave the field in order to be medically examined.

10 TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT

(a) When a player leaves the field to have bleeding controlled and/or have an open wound covered, that player may be temporarily replaced. If the player who has been temporarily replaced does not return to the field-of-play within 15 minutes (actual time) of leaving the playing area, the replacement becomes permanent and the replaced player must not return to the field-of-play.

(b) If the replacement is injured, that player may also be replaced.

(c) If the replacement is sent off for foul play, the replaced player may not return to the field-of-play.

(d) If a temporary replacement is cautioned and temporarily suspended, the replaced player may not return to the field-of-play until after the period of suspension.

11 PLAYER WISHING TO REJOIN THE MATCH

(a) A player who has an open or bleeding wound must leave the playing area. The player must not return until the bleeding is controlled and the wound has been covered.

(b) A player who leaves a match because of injury or any other reason must not rejoin the match until the referee permits the player to return. The referee must not let a player rejoin a match until the ball is dead.

(c) If the player rejoins the match without the referee’s permission, and the referee believes the player did so to help that player's team or obstruct the opposing team, the referee penalises the player for misconduct.

Penalty: Penalty Kick where play would restart.

12 SUBSTITUTED PLAYERS REJOINING THE MATCH

If a player is substituted, that player must not return and play in that match even to replace an injured player.

Exception 1: a substituted player may replace a player with a bleeding or open wound.

Exception 2: a substituted player may replace a front row player when injured, temporarily suspended or sent off.

13 FRONT ROW FORWARD SENT OFF OR TEMPORARILY REPLACED

(a) If, after a front row player is sent off or during the time a player is temporarily suspended, and there are no further front row players available from the nominated team, then uncontested scrums will be ordered. It is not the responsibility of the referee to determine the suitability of trained front row replacements nor their availability, as this is a team responsibility.

(b) When a period of temporary suspension ends and a front row players returns to the field-of-play and the nominated player who left the field-of-play for the period of the suspension may resume playing in the match.

(c) Furthermore if, because of sending-off or injury, a team cannot provide enough suitably trained front-row players, the match continues with uncontested scrums (14 (d)).

(d) An uncontested scrum is the same as a normal scrum, except that the teams do not compete for the ball, the team throwing in the ball must win it, and neither team is allowed to push, and:

If a team elects to continue with a full scrum, the formation must be 3-4-1 (i.e., 3-4-1 in the front, second and third rows respectively). If a team is one player short, then both teams must be in a 3-4 formation (i.e. with no No.8). If a team is two players short, then both teams must be in a 3-2-1 formation (i.e. no flankers). If a team is three players short, then both teams must be in a 3-2 formation (i.e. only front rows and locks).

[edit] Law 4- Players Clothing

Definitions Players' Clothing is anything players wear.

A player wears a jersey, shorts and underwear, socks and boots.

1 ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING

(a) A player may wear supports made of elasticated or compressible materials which must be washable.

(b) A player may wear shin guards worn under the socks with padding incorporated in non-rigid fabric with no part of the padding thicker than 0.5 cm when compressed.

(c) A player may wear ankle supports worn under socks, not extending higher than one third of the length of the shin and, if rigid, from material other than metal.

(d) A player may wear mitts (fingerless gloves) which conform to IRB Specifications (Regulations 12).

(e) A player may wear shoulder pads, made of soft and thin materials, which may be incorporated in an undergarment or jersey provided that the pads cover the shoulder and collar bone only. No part of the pads may be thicker than 1cm when uncompressed. No part of the pads may have a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

(f) A player may wear a mouth guard or dental protector.

(g) A player may wear headgear made of soft and thin materials provided that no part of the headgear is thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed and no part of the headgear has a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

(h) A player may wear bandages and/or dressings to cover or protect any injury.

(i) A player may wear thin tape or other similar material as support and/or to prevent injury.

(j) A player must not wear communication devices within that player's clothing or have them attached to his body.

(k) A player must not wear any additional item of clothing that does not conform IRB Regulation 12.

2 SPECIAL ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR WOMEN

Besides the previous items, women may wear chest pads made of soft and thin materials which may be incorporated as part of a garment provided that the pads cover the shoulder and/or collar bone and/or chest only with no part of the pads thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed and no part of the pads having a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

3 THICKNESS AND DENSITY

The measurement of thickness and density includes any other material incorporated in the pads or used to secure the pads to the body.

4 STUDS

(a) Studs of players' boots must conform to British Standard BS6366 1983 or an equivalent standard.

(b) Studs of players' boots must be circular; and securely fastened to the sole of the boot.

(c) Studs of players' boots must have the following dimensions: Not longer than 18 mm, measured from the sole; a minimum diameter of 10 mm at the top of the stud; a minimum diameter of 13 mm at the base of the stud (excluding the washer); and a minimum diameter of 20 mm at the base where the stud integrates with the washer.

(d) Moulded rubber multi-studded soles are acceptable provided they have no sharp edges or ridges.

5 BANNED ITEMS OF CLOTHING

(a) A player must not wear any item that is contaminated by blood.

(b) A player must not wear any item that is sharp or abrasive.

(c) A player must not wear any items containing buckles, clips, rings, hinges, zippers, screws, bolts or rigid material or projection not otherwise permitted under this law.

(d) A player must not wear jewellery such as rings or earrings.

(e) A player must not wear gloves.

(f) A player must not wear shorts with padding sewn into them.

(g) A player must not wear any item of which any part is thicker than 0.5 cm when uncompressed or is denser than 45 kilograms per cubic metre unless specified within this law.

(h) A player must not wear any item that is normally permitted by law, but, in the referee's opinion that is liable to cause injury to a player.

(i) A player must not wear a single stud at the toe of the boot.

6 WEARING OTHER CLOTHING

The referee must not allow any player to leave the playing area to change items of clothying, unless these are bloodstained.

[edit] Law 5-Time

1 DURATION OF A MATCH

A match lasts no longer than eighty minutes plus time lost, extra time and any special conditions. A match is divided into two halves each of not more than forty minutes playing time.

2 HALF TIME

After half time the teams change ends. There is an interval of not more than 10 minutes. The length of the interval is decided by the match organiser, the Union or the recognised body which has jurisdiction over the game. During the interval the teams, the referee and the touch judges may leave the playing enclosure.

3 TIME KEEPING

The referee keeps the time but may delegate the duty to either or both the touch judges and/or the official time-keeper, in which case the referee signals to them any stoppage of time or time lost. In matches without an official time-keeper, if the referee is in doubt as to the correct time the referee consults either or both of the touch judges and may consult others but only if the touch judges cannot help.

4 TIME LOST

Time lost may be due to the following:

(a) Injury. The referee may stop play for not more than one minute so that an injured player can be treated, or for any other permitted delay.

The referee may allow play to continue while a medically trained person treats an injured player in the playing area or the player may go to the touch-line for treatment.

If a player is seriously injured and needs to be removed from the field of play, the referee has the discretion to allow the necessary time to have the injured player removed from the field-of-play.

(b) Replacing players’ clothing. When the ball is dead, the referee allows time for a player to replace or repair a badly torn jersey, shorts or boots. Time is allowed for a player to re-tie a boot-lace.

(d) Reporting of foul play by a touch judge. Time is allowed when a touch judge reports foul play.

5 MAKING UP FOR TIME LOST

Any playing time lost is made up in the same half of the match.

6 PLAYING EXTRA TIME

A match may last more than eighty minutes if the Match Organiser has authorised the playing of extra time in a drawn match in a knock-out competition.

7 OTHER TIME REGULATIONS

(a) In international matches, play always lasts eighty minutes plus lost time.

(b) In non-international matches a Union may decide the length of a match.

(d) The referee has power to declare no side at any time, if the referee believes that play should not go on because it would be dangerous.

(e) If time expires and the ball is not dead or an awarded scrum, line-out, mark, free kick or penalty kick has not been completed, the referee allows play to continue until the next time when the ball becomes dead. If time expires and a mark, free kick or penalty kick is then awarded, the referee allows play to continue.

(f) If time expires after a try has been scored the referee allows time for the conversion kick to be taken.

(g) When the weather conditions are exceptionally hot and/or humid, the referee, at his discretion, will be permitted to allow one water break in each half. This water break should be no longer than one minute. Time lost should be added on at the end of each half. The water break should normally be taken after a score or when the ball is out of play near the half-way line.

[edit] Law 6-Match Officials

DEFINITIONS

Every match is under the control of Match Officials who consist of the Referee and two Touch Judges. Additional persons, as authorised by the match organisers may include the referee and/or touch judge reserve, an official to assist the Referee in making decisions by using technological devices, the time keeper, the Match Doctor, the team doctors, the non-playing members of the teams and the ball persons.

A. REFEREE

BEFORE THE MATCH

1 APPOINTING THE REFEREE

The referee is appointed by the match organiser. If no referee has been appointed the two teams may agree upon a referee. If they cannot agree, the home team appoints a referee.

2 REPLACING THE REFEREE

If the referee is unable to complete the match, the referee's replacement is appointed according to the instructions of the match organiser. If the match organiser has given no instructions, the referee appoints the replacement. If the referee cannot do so, the home team appoints a replacement.

3 DUTIES OF THE REFEREE BEFORE THE MATCH

Toss. The referee organises the toss. One of the captains tosses a coin and the other captain calls to see who wins the toss. The winner of the toss decides whether to kick-off or to choose an end. If the winner of the toss decides to choose an end, the opponents must kick-off and vice versa.

DURING THE MATCH

4 THE DUTIES OF THE REFEREE IN THE PLAYING ENCLOSURE

(a) The referee is the sole judge of fact and of law during a match. The referee must apply fairly all the Laws of the Game in every match.

(b) The referee keeps the time.

(d) The referee gives permission to the players to leave the playing area.

(e) The referee gives permission to the replacements or substitutes to enter the playing area.

(f) The referee gives permission to the team doctors or medically trained persons or their assistants to enter the playing area, as and when permitted by the Law.

(g) The referee gives permission to each of the coaches to enter the playing area at half time to attend their teams during the interval.

5 PLAYERS DISPUTING A REFEREE’S DECISION

All players must respect the authority of the referee. They must not dispute the referee's decisions. They must stop playing at once when the referee blows the whistle except at a kick-off.

6 REFEREE ALTERING A DECISION

The referee may alter a decision when a touch judge has raised the flag to signal touch or an act of foul play.

7 REFEREE CONSULTING WITH OTHERS

a) The referee may consult with touch judges in regard to matters relating to their duties, the law relating to foul play, or timekeeping.

b) A match organiser may appoint an official who uses technological devices. If the referee is unsure when making a decision in in-goal involving a try being scored or a touch down, that official may be consulted.

c) The official may be consulted if the referee is unsure when making a decision in in-goal with regard to the scoring of a try or a touch down when foul play in in-goal may have been involved.

d) The official may be consulted in relation to the success or otherwise of kicks at goal.

e) The official may be consulted if the referee or touch judge is unsure if a player was or was not in touch when attempting to ground the ball to score a try.

f) The official may be consulted if the referee or touch judges are unsure when making decision relating to touch-in-goal and the ball being made dead if a score may have occurred.

g) A match organiser may appoint a timekeeper who will signify the end of each half.

h) The referee must not consult with any other persons.

8 THE REFEREE'S WHISTLE

(a) The referee must carry a whistle and blow the whistle to indicate the beginning and end of each half of the match.

(b) The referee has power to stop play at any time.

(d) The referee must blow the whistle to stop play because of an infringement or for an offence of foul play. When the referee cautions or sends off the offender, the referee must whistle a second time when the penalty kick or penalty try is awarded.

(e) The referee must blow the whistle when the ball has gone out of play, or when it has become unplayable, or when a penalty is awarded.

(f) The referee must blow the whistle when the ball or the ball-carrier touches the referee and either team gains an advantage from this.

(g) The referee must blow the whistle when it would be dangerous to let play continue. This includes when a scrum collapses, or when a front-row player is lifted into the air or is forced upwards out of a scrum, or when it is probable that a player has been seriously injured.

(h) The referee may blow the whistle to stop play for any other reason according to the laws.

9 THE REFEREE AND INJURY

(a) If a player is injured and continuation of play would be dangerous, the referee must blow the whistle immediately.

(b) If the referee stops play because a player has been injured, and there has been no infringement and the ball has not been made dead, play restarts with a scrum. The team last in possession throws in the ball. If neither team was in possession, the attacking team throws in the ball.

10 THE BALL TOUCHING THE REFEREE

(a) If the ball or the ball-carrier touches the referee and neither team gains an advantage, play continues.

(b) If either team gains an advantage in the field-of-play, the referee orders a scrum and the team that last played the ball has the throw-in.

(c) If either team gains an advantage in in-goal, if the ball is in possession of an attacking player the referee awards a try where the contact took place.

(d) If either team gains an advantage in in-goal, if the ball is in possession of a defending player, the referee awards a touch-down where the contact took place.

11 THE BALL IN IN-GOAL TOUCHED BY NON-PLAYER

The referee judges what would have happened next and awards a try or a touchdown at the place where the ball was touched.

AFTER THE MATCH

12 SCORE

The referee communicates the score to the teams and to the match organiser.

13 PLAYER SENT-OFF

If a player is sent off the referee gives the match organiser a written report on the foul play infringement as soon as possible.

B. TOUCH JUDGES

BEFORE THE MATCH

1 APPOINTING TOUCH JUDGES

There are two touch judges for every match. Unless they have been appointed by or under the authority of the match organiser, each team provides a touch judge.

2 REPLACING A TOUCH JUDGE

The match organiser may nominate a person to act as a replacement for the referee or the touch judges. This person is called the reserve touch judge and stands in the perimeter area.

3 CONTROL OF TOUCH JUDGES

The referee has control over both touch judges. The referee may tell them what their duties are, and may overrule their decisions. If a touch judge is unsatisfactory the referee may ask that the touch judge be replaced. If the referee believes a touch judge is guilty of misconduct, the referee has power to send the touch judge off and make a report to the match organiser

DURING THE MATCH

4 WHERE THE TOUCH JUDGES SHOULD BE

(a) There is one touch judge on each side of the ground. The touch judge remains in touch except when judging a kick at goal. When judging a kick at goal the touch judges stand in in-goal behind the goal posts.

(b) A touch judge may enter the playing area when reporting an offence of dangerous play or misconduct to the referee. The touch judge may do this only at the next stoppage in play.

5 TOUCH JUDGE SIGNALS

(a) Each touch judge carries a flag or something similar with which to signal decisions.

(b) Signalling result of kick at goal. When a conversion kick or a penalty kick at goal is being taken, the touch judges must help the referee by signalling the result of the kick. One touch judge stands at or behind each goal post. If the ball goes over the cross-bar and between the posts, the touch judge raises the flag to indicate a goal.

(c) Signalling touch. When the ball or the ball-carrier has gone into touch, the touch judge must hold up the flag. The touch judge must stand at the place of throw-in and point to the team entitled to throw in. The touch judge must also signal when the ball or the ball carrier has gone into touch-in-goal.

(d) When to lower the flag. When the ball is thrown in, the touch judge must lower the flag, with the following exceptions:

Exception 1: When the player throwing in puts any part of either foot in the field-of-play, the touch judge keeps the flag up.

Exception 2: When the team not entitled to throw-in has done so, the touch judge keeps the flag up.

Exception 3: When, at a quick throw-in, the ball that went into touch is replaced by another ball, or after it went into or it has been touched by anyone except the player who takes the throw-in, the touch judge keeps the flag up.

(e) It is for the referee, and not the touch judge, to decide whether or not the ball was thrown in from the correct place.

(f) Signalling foulplay. A touch judge signals that foul play or misconduct has been seen by holding the flag horizontally and pointing infield at right angles to the touch-line.

6 AFTER SIGNALLING FOUL PLAY

A match organiser may give authority to the touch judge to signal for foul play. If a touch judge signals foul play, the touch judge must stay in touch and continue to carry out all the other duties until the next stoppage in play. The touch judge may then enter the playing area to report the offence to the referee. The referee may then take whatever action is needed. Any penalty awarded will be in accordance with the law of foul play (Law 10).

AFTER THE MATCH

7 PLAYER SENT-OFF

If a player has been sent-off following a touch judge’s signal, the touch judge submits a written report about the incident to the referee as soon as possible after the match and provides it to the match organiser.

C. ADDITIONAL PERSONS

1 RESERVE TOUCH JUDGE

When a reserve touch judge is appointed, the referee’s authority regarding replacements and substitutions may be delegated to the reserve touch judge.

2 THOSE WHO MAY ENTER THE PLAYING AREA

The match doctor and the non-playing members of the team may enter the playing area as authorised by the referee.

3 LIMITS TO ENTERING THE PLAYING AREA

In the case of injury, these persons may enter the playing area while play continues, provided they have permission from the referee. Otherwise, they enter only when the ball is dead.

[edit] Law 7-Mode of Play

PLAYING A MATCH

A match is started by a kick-off.

After the kick-off, any player who is on-side may take the ball and run with it.

Any player may throw it or kick it.

Any player may give the ball to another player.

Any player may tackle, hold or shove an opponent holding the ball.

Any player may fall on the ball.

Any player may take part in a scrum, ruck, maul or line-out.

Any player may ground the ball in an in-goal.

Whatever a player does must be in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

[edit] Law 8-Advantage

DEFINITION

The law of advantage takes precedence over most other laws and its purpose is to make play more continuous with fewer stoppages for infringements. Players are encouraged to play to the whistle despite infringements by their opponents. When the result of an infringement by one team is that their opposing team may gain an advantage, the referee does not whistle immediately for the infringement.

1 ADVANTAGE IN PRACTICE

(a) The referee is sole judge of whether or not a team has gained an advantage. The referee has wide discretion when making decisions.

(b) Advantage can be either territorial or tactical.

(d) Tactical advantage means freedom for the non-offending team to play the ball as they wish.

2 WHEN ADVANTAGE DOES NOT ARISE

The advantage must be clear and real. A mere opportunity to gain advantage is not enough. If the non-offending team does not gain an advantage, the referee blows the whistle and brings play back to the place of infringement

3 WHEN THE ADVANTAGE LAW IS NOT APPLIED

(a) Referee contact. Advantage must not be applied when the ball, or a player carrying it, touches the referee.

(b) Ball out of tunnel. Advantage must not be applied when the ball comes out of either end of the tunnel at a scrum without having been played.

(c) Wheeled scrum. Advantage must not be applied when the scrum is wheeled through more than 90 degrees (so that the middle line has passed beyond a position parallel to the touch-line).

(d) Collapsed scrum. Advantage must not be applied when a scrum collapses. The referee must blow the whistle immediately.

(e) Player lifted in the air. Advantage must not be applied when a player in a scrum is lifted in the air or forced upwards out of the scrum. The referee must blow the whistle immediately

4 IMMEDIATE WHISTLE WHEN NO ADVANTAGE

The referee blows the whistle immediately once the referee decides an advantage cannot be gained by the non-offending team.

5 MORE THAN ONE INFRINGEMENT

(a) If there is more than one infringement by the same team the referee applies the advantage law.

(b) If advantage is being played following an infringement by one team and then the other team commit an infringement, the referee blows the whistle and applies the sanctions associated with the first infringement.

[edit] Law 9-Method of Scoring

A. SCORING POINTS

1 POINTS VALUES

Try When an attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal, a try is scored. 5 points

Penalty Try If a player would probably have scored a try but for foul play by an opponent, a penalty try is awarded between the goal posts. 5 points

Conversion Goal When a player scores a try it gives the player's team the right to attempt to score a goal by taking a kick at goal; this also applies to a penalty try. This kick is a conversion kick: a conversion kick can be a place kick or a drop kick. 2 points

Penalty Goal A player scores a penalty goal by kicking a goal from a penalty kick. 3 points

Dropped Goal A player scores a dropped goal by kicking a goal from a drop kick in general play. The team awarded a free kick cannot score a dropped goal until after the ball next becomes dead, or after an opponent has played or touched it, or has tackled the ball-carrier or a maul has been formed. This restriction applies also to a scrum taken instead of a free kick. 3 points

Goal A player scores a goal by kicking the ball over an opponents' cross bar and between the goal posts from the field-of-play, by a place kick or drop kick. A goal cannot be scored from a kick-off, a drop-out or a free kick.

2 KICK AT GOAL - SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

(a) If, after the ball is kicked, it touches the ground or any team-mate of the kicker, a goal cannot be scored.

(b) If the ball has crossed the cross bar a goal is scored, even if the wind blows it back into the field-of-play.

(c) If an opponent commits an offence as the kick at goal is being taken, but nevertheless the kick is successful, advantage is played and the score stands.

(d) Any player who touches the ball in an attempt to prevent a penalty goal being scored is illegally touching the ball.

Penalty - Penalty Kick

B CONVERSION KICK

DEFINITION

When a player scores a try, it gives the player's team the right to try to score a goal by taking a kick at goal; this also applies to a penalty try. This kick is a conversion kick. A conversion kick can be a place kick or a drop kick.

1 TAKING A CONVERSION KICK

(a) The kicker must use the ball that was in play unless it is defective.

(b) The kick is taken on a line through the place where the try was scored.

(d) The kicker may place the ball directly on the ground or on sand, sawdust or a kicking tee approved by the Union.

(e) The kicker must take the kick within one minute from the time the kicker has indicated an intention to kick. The intention to kick is signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or the player makes a mark on the ground. The player must complete the kick within the minute even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.

Penalty. The kick is disallowed if the kicker does not take the kick within the time allowed.

(f) The scoring team may choose not to take a conversion kick.

2 THE KICKER’S TEAM

(a) All the kicker’s team, except the placer, must be behind the ball when it is kicked.

(b) Neither the kicker nor a placer must do anything to mislead their opponents into charging too soon.

(c) If the ball falls over before the kicker begins the approach to kick, the referee permits the kicker to replace it without excessive delay. While the ball is replaced, the opponents must stay behind their goal-line.

If the ball falls over after the kicker begins the approach to kick, the kicker may then kick or attempt a dropped goal. If the ball falls over and rolls away from the line through the place where the try was scored, and the kicker then kicks the ball over the cross bar, a goal is scored.

If the ball falls over and rolls into touch after the kicker begins the approach to kick, the kick is disallowed. Penalty: (a)-(c) If the kicker's team infringes, the kick is disallowed.

3 THE OPPOSING TEAM

(a) All players of the opposing team mustretire to their goal-line and must not overstep that line until the kicker begins the approach to kick or starts to kick. When the kicker does this, they may charge or jump so as to try to prevent a goal.

(b) When the ball falls over after the kicker began the approach to kick, the opponents may continue to charge.

Penalty: (a)-(c) If the opposing team infringes but the kick is successful, the goal stands.

If the kick is unsuccessful, the kicker may take another kick and the opposing team is not allowed to charge.

When another kick is allowed, the kicker may repeat all the preparations. The kicker may change the type of kick.

[edit] Law 10-Foul Play

DEFINITION

Foul play is anything a person does within the playing enclosure that is against the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game. It includes obstruction, unfair play, repeated infringements, dangerous play and misconduct which is prejudicial to the Game.

1 OBSTRUCTION

(a) Charging or pushing'. When a player and an opponent are running for the ball, either player must not charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(b) Running in front of a ball - carrier. A player must not intentionally move or stand in front of a team-mate carrying the ball, thereby preventing opponents from tackling the current ball-carrier or the opportunity to tackle potential ball-carriers when they gain possession. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(c) Blocking the tackler. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from tackling a ball carrier.

(d) New Blocking the ball. A player must not intentionally move or stand in a position that prevents an opponent from playing the ball.

(e) Ball-carrier running into team-mate at a set-piece. A player carrying the ball after it has left a scrum, ruck, maul or line-out must not run into team-mates in front of the player. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(f) Flanker obstructing opposing scrum-half. A flanker in a scrum must not prevent an opposing scrum-half from advancing around the scrum. ;Penalty': Penalty Kick

2 UNFAIR PLAY

(a) Intentionally Offending. A player must not intentionally infringe any Law of the Game, or play unfairly. The player who intentionally offends must be either admonished, or cautioned that a send off will result if the offence or similar offence is committed, or sent off. After a caution a player is temporarily suspended from the match for a period of ten minutes playing time. After a caution, if the player commits the same or similar offence, the player must be sent off. Penalty: Penalty Kick

A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.

(b) 'Time-wasting. A player must not intentionally waste time. Penalty: Free Kick

(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.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line if the offence is between the 15-metre line and the touch-line, or, at the place of the infringement if the offence occurred elsewhere in the field of play, or five metres from the goal-line and at least 15 metres from the touch-line 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.

3 REPEATED INFRINGEMENTS

(a) Repeatedly offending. A player must not repeatedly infringe any Law. Repeated infringement is a matter of fact. The question of whether or not the player intended to infringe is irrelevant. Penalty: Penalty Kick

A player penalised for repeated infringements must be cautioned and temporarily suspended. If that player then commits a further cautionable offence, or the same offence,

(b) Infringements. The problem of repeated infringements usually arises with the scrum, line-out, off-side, ruck, maul or tackle laws. A player penalised for several infringements of one of these laws is cautioned and temporarily suspended from the match for a period of ten minutes' playing time. If the player repeats the offence, the player is sent off.

(c) Repeated infringements by the team. When different players of the same team repeatedly commit the same offence, the referee must decide whether or not this amounts to repeated infringement. If it does, the referee gives a general warning to the team and if they then repeat the offence the referee cautions and temporarily suspends the guilty player(s) for a period of ten minutes' playing time. If a player of that team then repeats the offence the referee sends off the guilty player(s). Penalty: Penalty Kick

A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.

(d) Repeated infringements: standard applied by referee. When the referee decides how many offences constitute repeated infringement, the referee must always apply a strict standard in representative and senior matches. When a player offends three times the referee must caution that player.

The referee may relax this standard in junior or minor matches, where infringements may be the result of ignorance of the laws or lack of skill.

4 DANGEROUS PLAY AND MISCONDUCT

(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s). Penalty: Penalty Kick

(b) Stamping or trampling. A player must not stamp or trample on an opponent. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(d) Tripping. A player must not trip an opponent with the leg or foot. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(e) Dangerous tackling. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.

A player must not tackle (or try to tackle) an opponent above the line of the shoulders. A tackle around the opponent’s neck or head is dangerous play.

A ‘stiff-arm tackle’ is dangerous play. A player makes a stiff-arm tackle when using a stiff arm to strike an opponent.

Playing a player without the ball is dangerous play.

A player must not tackle an opponent whose feet are off the ground.

Exception: A player is permitted to attempt to tackle a player who is in possession of the ball and is in the act of diving in an attempt to score a try. Penalty: Penalty Kick

Advantage may be played, but if the offence prevents a probable try, a penalty try must be awarded.

(f) Playing an opponent without the ball. Except in a scrum, ruck or maul, a player must not hold, or push, or charge into, or obstruct an opponent not carrying the ball. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(g) Dangerous charging. A player must not charge or knocks down an opponent carrying the ball without trying to grasp that player. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(h) Tackling the jumper in the air. A player must not tackle or tap or push or pull the foot or feet of an opponent jumping for the ball in a line-out or in open play. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(i) Dangerous play in a scrum, ruck or maul. The front row of a scrum must not rush against its opponents.

Front-row players must not voluntarily lift opponents off their feet or force them upwards out of the scrum.

Players must not intentionally collapse a scrum, ruck or maul.

Players must not charge into a ruck or maul without binding onto a player in the ruck or maul. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(j) Retaliation. A player must not retaliate. Even if an opponent is infringing the laws, a player must not do anything that is dangerous to the opponent. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(k) Acts contrary to good sportsmanship. A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure. Penalty: Penalty Kick

l) Misconduct while the ball is out of play.

The penalty is the same as for sections 10.4 (a)-(k) except that the penalty kick is awarded at the place where play would restart. If that place is on the touch-line or within 15 metres of it, the mark for the penalty kick is on the 15-metre line, in line with that place.

If play would restart at a 5-metre scrum, the mark for the penalty kick is at that place of the scrum.

If play would restart with a drop-out, the non-offending team may choose to take the penalty kick anywhere on the 22-metre line.

If a penalty kick is awarded but the offending team is guilty of further misconduct before the kick is taken, the referee cautions or orders off the guilty player and advances the mark for the penalty kick 10 metres. This covers both the original offence and the misconduct.

If a penalty kick is awarded to a team but a player of that team is guilty of further misconduct before the kick is taken, the referee will caution or send-off the guilty player, declare the kick disallowed, and award a penalty kick to the opposing team.

If an offence is committed outside the playing area while the ball is still in play, and if that offence is not covered by any other part of this Law, the penalty kick is awarded on the 15-metre line, in line with where the offence happened.

For an offence reported by a touch judge a penalty kick may be awarded where the offence happened, or advantage may be played.

(m) Late-charging the kicker. A player must not intentionally charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball. Penalty: The non-offending team may choose to take the penalty kick either at the place of infringement, where the ball lands or where it was next played.

Place of infringement. If the infringement happens in the kicker’s in-goal, the penalty kick is taken 5 metres from the goal-line in line with the actual place of infringement.

If the infringement happens in touch, the mark for the penalty kick is on the 15-metre line in line with the place of infringement but at least 15 metres from the touch-line. The non-offending team may also choose to take the penalty kick where the ball lands or is next played and at least 15 metres from the touch-line.

Where the ball lands. If the ball lands in touch, the mark for the optional penalty kick is on the 15-metre line in line with where it went into touch. If the ball lands within 15 metres of the touch-line, the mark is on the 15-metre line opposite where it landed.

If the ball lands in the in-goal, in touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead-ball line, the mark for the optional penalty kick is 5 metres from the goal-line, in line with the place where the ball crossed the goal-line and at least 15 metres from the touch-line.

If the ball hits a goal post or cross bar, the optional penalty kick is awarded where the ball lands on the ground.

(n) Flying Wedge and Cavalry Charge. A team must not use the ‘Flying Wedge’ or the ‘Cavalry Charge’. Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.

‘Flying Wedge’. The type of attack known as a ‘Flying Wedge’ usually happens near the goal-line, when the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick or free kick.

The kicker tap-kicks the ball and starts the attack, either by driving towards the goal-line or by passing to a team-mate who drives forward. Immediately, team-mates bind on each side of the ball-carrier in a wedge formation. Often one or more of these team-mates is in front of the ball-carrier. This, in itself, is illegal. In any case, the ‘Flying Wedge’ is potentially dangerous to players who try to stop it. It is illegal. Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.

‘Cavalry Charge’. The type of attack known as a ‘Cavalry Charge’ usually happens near the goal-line, when the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick or free kick. Attacking players form a line across the field some distance behind the kicker. These attacking players are usually a metre or two apart. At a signal from the kicker they charge forward. When they get near, the kicker tap-kicks the ball and passes it to one of them. Until the ball is kicked, the defending team must stay at least 10 metres from the mark or behind their goal-line, if that is nearer. The ‘Cavalry Charge’ is potentially dangerous. It is illegal. Penalty: Penalty Kick at the place of the original infringement.

5 SANCTIONS

(a) Any player who infringes any part of the Foul Play Law must be admonished, or cautioned and temporarily suspended and sent off.

(b) A player who has been cautioned and temporarily suspended who then commits a second cautionable offence within the Foul Play Law must be sent off.

6 YELLOW AND RED CARDS

(a) When a player has been cautioned and temporarily suspended in an international match, the referee will show that player a yellow card.

(b) When a player has been sent off in an international match, the referee will show that player a red card.

(c) For other matches the Match Organiser or Union having jurisdiction over the match may decide upon the use of yellow or red cards.

7 PLAYER SENT OFF

A player who is sent off takes no further part in the match.

[edit] Law 11-Offside and Onside in General Play

DEFINITION

At the start of a game all players are on-side. As the match progresses players may find themselves in an off-side position. Such players are then liable to be penalised until they become on-side again.

In general play a player is off-side if the player is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball or in front of a team-mate who last played the ball.

Off-side means that a player is temporarily out of the game. Such players are liable to be penalised if they take part in the game.

In general play, a player can be put on-side either by an action of a team-mate or by an action of an opponent. However, the off-side player cannot be put on-side if the off-side player interferes with play; or moves forward, towards the ball, or fails to move 10 metres away from the place where the ball lands.

1 OFF-SIDE IN GENERAL PLAY

(a) A player who is in an off-side position is liable to penalty only if the player does one of three things:

Interferes with play or,

Moves forward, towards the ball or

Fails to comply with the 10 metre Law(Law 11.4).

A player who is in an off-side position is not automatically penalised.

A player who receives an intentional throw-forward is not off-side.

A player can be off-side in the in-goal.

(b) Off-side and interfering with play. A player who is off-side must not take part in the game. This means the player must not play the ball or obstruct an opponent.

(c) Off-side and moving forward. When a team-mate of an off-side player has kicked ahead, the off-side player must not move towards opponents who are waiting to play the ball, or move towards the place where the ball lands, until the player has been put on-side.

2 BEING PUT ON-SIDE BY THE ACTION OF A TEAM-MATE

In general play, there are four ways by which an off-side player can be put on-side by actions of that player or of team-mates;

(a) Action by the player. When the off-side player runs behind the team-mate who last kicked, touched or carried the ball, the player is put on-side.

(b) Action by the ball-carrier. When a team-mate carrying the ball runs in front of the off-side player, that player is put on-side.

(c) Action by the kicker or other on-side player. When the kicker, or team-mate who was level with or behind the kicker when (or after) the ball was kicked, runs in front of the off-side player, the player is put on-side.

(d) When running forward, the team-mate may be in touch or in touch-in-goal, but that team-mate must return to the playing area to put the other player on-side.

3 BEING PUT ON-SIDE BY OPPONENTS

In general play, there are three ways by which an off-side player can be put on-side by an action of the opposing team. These three ways do not apply to a player who is offside under the 10 Metre Law.

(a) Runs 5 metres with ball. When an opponent carrying the ball runs 5 metres, the off-side player is put on-side.

(b) Kicks or passes. When an opponent kicks or passes the ball, the off-side player is put on-side.

(c) Intentionally touches ball. When an opponent intentionally touches the ball but does not catch it, the off-side player is put on-side.

4 OFF-SIDE UNDER THE 10-METRE LAW

(a) New When a team-mate of an off-side player has kicked ahead, the off-side player is considered to be taking part in the game if the player is in front of an imaginary line across the field which is 10 metres from the opponent waiting to play the ball, or from where the ball lands or may land. The off-side player must immediately move behind the imaginary 10 metre line. While moving away, the player must not obstruct an opponent.

(b) While moving away, the off-side player cannot be put on-side by any action of the opposing team. However, before the player has moved the full 10 metres, the player can be put on-side by any on-side team-mate who runs in front of the player.

(c) When a player who is off-side under the 10-metre law charges an opponent waiting to catch the ball, the referee blows the whistle at once and the off-side player is penalised. Delay may prove dangerous to the opponent.

(d) When a player who is off-side under the 10-metre law plays the ball which has been mis-fielded by an opponent, the off-side player is penalised.

(e) New The 10-metre law is not altered by the fact that the ball has hit a goal post or a cross bar. What matters is where the ball lands. An off-side player must not be in front of the imaginary 10 metre line across the field.

(f) The 10-metre law does not apply when a player kicks the ball, and an opponent charges down the kick, and a team-mate of the kicker who was in front of the imaginary 10 metre line across the field then plays the ball. The opponent was not ‘waiting to play the ball’ and the team-mate is on-side.

Penalty: When a player is penalised for being off-side in general play, the opposing team chooses either a penalty kick at the place of infringement or a scrum at the place where the offending team last played the ball. If it was last played in that team’s in-goal, the scrum is formed 5 metres from the goal-line in line with where it was played.

(g) If more than one player is off-side and moving forward after a team-mate has kicked ahead, the place of infringement is the position of the off-side player closest to an opponent waiting for the ball, or closest to where the ball lands.

5 BEING PUT ON-SIDE UNDER THE 10-METRE LAW

(a) The off-side player must retire behind the imaginary 10 metre line across the field, otherwise the player is liable to be penalised.

(b) While retiring, the player can be put on-side before moving behind the imaginary 10-metre line by any of the three actions of the player's team listed above in Section 2. However, the player cannot be put on-side by any action of the opposing team.

6 ACCIDENTAL OFF-SIDE

(a) When an off-side player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or by a team-mate carrying it, the player is accidentally off-side. If the player's team gains no advantage from this, play continues. If the player's team gains an advantage, a scrum is formed with the opposing team throwing in the ball.

(b) When a player hands the ball to a team-mate in front of the first player, the receiver is off-side. Unless the receiver is considered to be intentionally off-side (in which case a penalty kick is awarded), the receiver is accidentally off-side and a scrum is formed with the opposing team throwing in the ball.

7 OFF-SIDE AFTER A KNOCK-ON

When a player knocks-on and an off-side team-mate next plays the ball, the off-side player is liable to penalty if playing the ball prevented an opponent from gaining an advantage. Penalty: Penalty Kick

8 PUTTING ON-SIDE A PLAYER RETIRING DURING A RUCK, MAUL, SCRUM OR LINE-OUT

When a ruck, maul, scrum or line-out forms, a player who is off-side and is retiring as required by law remains off-side even when the opposing team wins possession and the ruck, maul, scrum or line-out has ended. The player is put on-side when he retires behind that off-side line which applies to hom. No other action of the off-side player and no action of that player's team-mates can put the off-side player on-side.

If the player remains off-side the player can be put on-side only by an action of the opposing team.There are two such actions:

Opponent runs 5 metres with ball. When an opponent carrying the ball has run 5 metres, the off-side player is put on-side. An off-side player is not put on-side when an opponent passes the ball. Even if the opponents pass the ball several times, their action does not put the off-side player on-side.

Opponent kicks. When an opponent kicks the ball, the off-side player is put on-side.

9 LOITERING

A player who remains in an off-side position is loitering. A loiterer who prevents the opposing team from playing the ball as they wish is taking part in the game, and is penalised. The referee makes sure that the loiterer does not benefit from being put on-side by the opposing team's action. Penalty: Penalty Kick

[edit] Law 12-Knock on or Thrown Forward

DEFINITION - KNOCK-ON

A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.

‘Forward’ means towards the opposing team's dead-ball line.

EXCEPTION: Charge down. If a player charges down the ball as an opponent kicks it, or immediately after the kick, it is not a knock-down though the ball may travel forward.

DEFINITION - THROW-FORWARD'

A throw-forward occurs when a player throws or passes the ball forward.

‘Forward’ means towards the opposing team's dead-ball line.

EXCEPTION: Bounce forward. If the ball is not thrown forward but it hits a player or the ground and bounces forward, this is not a throw-forward.

1 THE OUTCOME OF A KNOCK-ON OR THROW-FORWARD

(a) Unintentional knock-on or throw-forward. A scrum is awarded at the place of infringement.

(b) Unintentional knock-on or throw-forward at a line-out. A scrum is awarded 15 metres from the touch-line.

(c) Knock-on or throw-forward into the in-goal. If an attacking player knocks-on or throws-forward in the field-of-play and the ball goes into the opponents’ in-goal and it is made dead there, a scrum is awarded where the knock-on or throw-forward happened.

(d) Knock-on or throw-forward inside the in-goal. If a player of either team knocks-on or throws-forward inside the in-goal, a 5-metre scrum is awarded in line with the place of infringement not closer than 5 metres from the touch-line.

(e) Intentional knock or throw-forward. A player must not intentionally knock the ball forward with arm or hand, nor throw-forward.

Penalty: Penalty kick. A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.

[edit] Law 13-Kickoff and Restarts

DEFINITION

The kick-off occurs at the start of the match and the re-start of the match after half-time. Re-start kicks occur after a score or a touch down.

1 WHERE THE KICK-OFF IS TAKEN

(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 by the wrong type of kick, or from the incorrect place, the opposing team has two choices:

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.

2 WHO TAKES THE KICK-OFF AND RESTART KICK

(a) At the start of the game, the team whose captain elected to take the kick after winning the toss kicks-off or the opposing team if the winning captain elected to choose an end.

(b) After the half-time interval, the opponents of the team who kicked-off at the start of the game kick-off.

3 POSITION OF THE KICKER’S TEAM AT A KICK-OFF

All the kicker’s team, except the placer, must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If they are not, a scrum is formed at the centre. Their opponents throw in the ball.

4 POSITION OF THE OPPOSING TEAM AT A KICK-OFF

All the opposing team must stand on or behind the 10-metre line. If they are in front of that line or if they charge before the ball is kicked, it is kicked-off again.

5 KICK-OFF OF 10 METRES

If the ball reaches the opponents’ 10-metre line or reaches the 10-metre line and is blown back, play goes on.

6 KICK-OFF OF UNDER 10 METRES BUT PLAYED BY AN OPPONENT

If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line but is first played by an opponent, play goes on.

7 KICK-OFF OF UNDER 10 METRES AND NOT PLAYED BY AN OPPONENT

If the ball does not reach the opponent’s 10-metre line the opposing team has two choices:

To have the ball kicked-off again, or To have a scrum at the centre. They throw in the ball.

8 BALL GOES DIRECTLY INTO TOUCH

The ball must land in the field-of-play. If it is kicked directly into touch the opposing team has three choices:

To have the ball kicked off again, or To have a scrum at the centre and they have the throw-in, or To accept the kick.

If they accept the kick, the line-out is on the half-way line. If the ball is blown behind the half-way line and goes directly into touch, the line-out is at the place where it went into touch.

9 BALL GOES INTO THE IN-GOAL

(a) If the ball is kicked into the opponents' in-goal without having touched or been touched by a player, the opposing team has three choices:

To ground the ball, or To make it dead, or To play on.

(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or if they make it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line, they have two choices:

To have a scrum formed at the centre of the half-way line, and they throw in the ball, or To have the other team kick-off again.

(c) If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so without delay. Any other action with the ball by a defending player means the player has elected to play on.

10 DROP-OUT

DEFINITION

A drop-out is used to restart play after an attacking player has put or taken the ball into the in-goal, without infringement, and a defending player has made the ball dead there or it has gone into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead-ball line.

A drop-out is a drop kick taken by the defending team. The drop-out may be taken anywhere on or behind the 22-metre line.

11 DELAY IN DROP-OUT

The drop-out must be taken without delay.

Penalty: Free kick on the 22-metre line.

12 DROP-OUT INCORRECTLY TAKEN

If the ball is kicked by the wrong type of kick, or from the wrong place, the opposing team has two choices:

To have another drop-out, or To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line and they throw in the ball.

13 DROP-OUT BALL MUST CROSS THE LINE

(a) If the ball does not cross the 22-metre line, the opposing team has two choices:

To have another drop-out, or To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. They throw in the ball.

(b) If the ball crosses the 22-metre line but is blown back, play continues.

14 BALL GOES DIRECTLY INTO TOUCH

The ball must land in the field-of-play. If it is kicked directly into touch, the opposing team has three choices:

To have another drop-out, or To have a scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line, and they throw in the ball, or To accept the kick. If they accept the kick, the throw-in is on the 22-metre line.

15 BALL GOES INTO THE IN-GOAL FROM A DROP-OUT

(a) If the ball is kicked into the opponents' in-goal without having touched or been touched by a player, the opposing team has three choices:

To ground the ball, or To make it dead, or To play on.

(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or makes it dead, or if the ball goes dead by going into touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead-ball line, they have two choices:

To have a scrum formed at the centre of the 22m-line from where the kick was taken and they throw in the ball, or To have the other team drop out again.

(c) If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so without delay. Any other action with the ball by a defending player means the player has elected to play on.

16 THE KICKER'S TEAM

(a) All the kicker’s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If not, a scrum is formed at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.

(b) However, if the kick is taken so quickly that players of the kicker’s team who are retiring are still in front of the ball, they will not be penalised. They must not stop retiring until they have been made on-side by an action of a team-mate. They must not take part in the game until they have been made on-side in this way.

Penalty: Scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.

17 THE OPPOSING TEAM

(a) The opposing team must not charge over the 22-metre line before the ball is kicked. Penalty: Free Kick at the place of infringement

(b) If an opponent is on the wrong side of the 22-metre line and delays or obstructs the drop-out, the player is guilty of misconduct.

Penalty: Penalty kick on the 22-metre line

[edit] Law 14- Ball on the Ground-No Tackle

DEFINITION

This situation occurs when the ball is available on the ground and a player goes to ground to gather the ball, except immediately after a scrum or a ruck.

It also occurs when a player is on the ground in possession of the ball and has not been tackled.

The game is to be played by players who are on their feet. A player must not make the ball unplayable by falling down. Unplayable means that the ball is not immediately available to either team so that play may continue.

A player who makes the ball unplayable, or who obstructs the opposing team by falling down, is negating the purpose and spirit of the game and must be penalised.

A player who is not tackled, but who goes to ground while holding the ball, or a player who goes to ground and gathers the ball, must act immediately.

1 PLAYER ON THE GROUND

The player must immediately do one of three things:

Get up with the ball, or Pass the ball, or Release the ball.

A player who passes or releases the ball must also get up or move away from it at once. Advantage is played only if it happens immediately.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

2 WHAT THE PLAYER MUST NOT DO

(a) Lying on or around the ball. A player must not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opponents getting possession of it.

(b) Falling over the player on the ground with the ball. A player must not intentionally fall on or over a player with the ball who is lying on the ground.

(c) Falling over players lying on the ground near the ball. A player must not intentionally fall on or over players lying on the ground with the ball between them or near them.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

DEFINITION

Near is within 1 metre.

[edit] Law 15-Tackle Ball Carrier is brought to Ground

DEFINITION

A tackle occurs when a ball-carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to the ground.

A ball-carrier who is not held is not a tackled player and a tackle has not taken place.

Opposition ploayers who hold the ball-carrier and bring that player to ground and also go to ground are known as tacklers.

1 TACKLE - WHERE

A tackle can only take place in the field-of-play.

2 WHEN A TACKLE CANNOT TAKE PLACE

When the ball-carrier is held by one opponent and a team-mate binds on to that ball-carrier, a maul has been formed and a tackle cannot take place.

3 BROUGHT TO THE GROUND DEFINED

(a) If the ball-carrier has one knee or both knees on the ground, that player has been 'brought to ground'.

(b) If the ball-carrier is sitting on the ground, or on top of another player on the ground, the ball carrier has been 'brought to ground'.

4 THE TACKLER

(a) When a player tackles an opponent and they both go to ground, the tackler must immediately release the tackled player.

(b) The tackler must immediately get up or move away from the tackled player and from the ball at once.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

5 THE TACKLED PLAYER

(a) A tackled player must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can continue.

(b) A tackled player must immediately pass the ball or release it. That player must also get up or move away from it at once.

(c) A tackled player may release the ball by putting it on the ground in any direction, provided this is done immediately.

(d) A tackled player may release the ball by pushing it along the ground in any direction except forward, provided this is done immediately.

(e) If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(f) If a tackled player’s momentum carries the player into the In-goal, the player can score a try or make a touch down.

(g) If players are tackled near to the goal-line, these players may immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal-line to score a try and make a touch-down.

(h) The tackled player must not intentionally place the ball in touch. The tackled player must not voluntarily push the ball into touch.

Penalty: Penalty kick on the 15 metre line.

6 OTHER PLAYERS

(a) After a tackle, all other players must be on their feet when they play the ball. Players are on their feet if no other part of their body is supported by the ground or players on the ground.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(b) After a tackle players on their feet may attempt to gain possession by taking the ball from the ball carrier's possession.

(c) At a tackle or near to a tackle, other players who play the ball must do so from behind the ball and from behind the tackled player or the tackler closest to those players’ goal-line.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(d) Any player who gains possession of the ball at the tackle must play the ball immediately by moving away or passing or kicking the ball.

Penalty: Free Kick

(e) Any player who first gains possession of the ball must not go to ground at the tackle or near to it unless tackled by an opposition player.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(f) Any player who first gains possession of the ball at the tackle or near to it may be tackled by an opposition player providing that player does so from behind the ball and from behind the tackled player or the tackler nearest that player’s goal-line.

(g) After a tackle, any player lying on the ground must not prevent an opponent from getting possession of the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

Exception: Ball goes into the in-goal. After a tackle near the goal-line, if the ball has been released and has gone into the in-goal any player, including a player on the ground, may ground the ball.

7 FORBIDDEN PRACTICES

(a) No player may prevent the tackled player from passing the ball.

(b) No player may prevent the tackled player from releasing the ball and getting up or moving away from it.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

Exception: An opponent may legally pull the ball from the hands or arms of a tackled player who is reaching out to ground the ball on or over the goal-line, but the opponent must not kick the ball.

(d) No player may fall on or over the tackled player.

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

(f) Players on their feet must not charge or obstruct an opponent who is not near the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(g) Danger: Failure to pass or release. Danger may arise if a tackled player fails to release the ball or move away from it immediately, or if that player is prevented from so doing. If either of these happens the referee awards a penalty kick immediately.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

8 DOUBT ABOUT FAILURE TO COMPLY

If the ball becomes unplayable at a tackle and there is doubt about which player did not conform to law, the referee orders a scrum immediately with the throw-in by the team that was moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if no team was moving forward, by the attacking team.

[edit] Law 16-Ruck

DEFINITIONS

A ruck is a phase of play where one or more players from each team, who are on their feet, in physical contact, close around the ball on the ground. Open play has ended.

Rucking. Players are rucking when they are in a ruck and using their feet to try to win or keep possession of the ball, without being guilty of foul play.

1 FORMING A RUCK

Where A ruck can take place only in the field-of-play.

How Players are on their feet. At least one player must be in physical contact with an opponent.

SUMMARY

Ruck: Ball on the ground; needs at least two players on their feet, one from each team.

2 JOINING A RUCK

(a) All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.

Penalty: Free Kick

(b) A player joining a ruck must bind onto the ruck with at least one arm around the body of a team-mate, using the whole arm.

(d) All players forming, joining or taking part in a ruck must be on their feet.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

3 RUCKING

(a) Players in a ruck must endeavour to stay on their feet.

(b) A player must not intentionally fall or kneel in a ruck. This is dangerous play.

(d) A player must not jump on top of a ruck.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(e) Players must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.

Penalty: Free Kick

(f) A player rucking for the ball must not ruck players on the ground. A player rucking for the ball tries to step over players on the ground and must not intentionally step on them. A player rucking must do so near the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick for dangerous play

4 OTHER RUCK OFFENCES

(a) Players must not return the ball into a ruck.

Penalty: Free Kick

(b) Players must not handle the ball in a ruck.

(d) Players on the ground in or near the ruck must try to move away from the ball. These players must not interfere with the ball in the ruck or as it comes out of the ruck.

(e) A player must not fall on or over a ball as it is coming out of a ruck.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(f) A player must not take any action to make the opponents think that the ball is out of the ruck while it is still in the ruck.

Penalty: Free Kick

5 OFF-SIDE AT THE RUCK

(a) The off-side line. There are two off-side lines parallel to the goal-lines, one for each team. Each off-side line runs through the hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the ruck. If the hindmost foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal-line, the off-side line for the defending team is the goal-line.

(b) Players must either join a ruck, or retire behind the off-side line immediately. If a player loiters at the side of a ruck, the player is off-side. Penalty: Penalty Kick

(c) Players joining and rejoining the ruck Players joining or rejoining the ruck. All players joining a ruck must do so from behind the foot of the hindmost team-mate in the ruck. A player may join alongside this hindmost player. If the player joins the ruck from the opponents’ side, or in front of the hindmost team-mate, the player is off-side. Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line

(d) Players not joining the ruck. If a player is in front of the off-side line and does not join the ruck, the player must retire behind the off-side line at once. If a player who is behind the off-side line oversteps it and does not join the ruck the player is off-side. Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team's off-side line

6 SUCCESSFUL END TO A RUCK

A ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves the ruck, or when the ball is on or over the goal-line.

7 UNSUCCESSFUL END TO A RUCK

(a) A ruck ends unsuccessfully when the ball becomes unplayable and a scrum is ordered. The team that was moving forward immediately before the ball became unplayable in the ruck throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, or if the referee cannot decide which team was moving forward before the ball became unplayable in the ruck, the team that was moving forward before the ruck began throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, then the attacking team throws in the ball.

(b) Before the referee blows the whistle for a scrum, the referee allows a reasonable amount of time for the ball to emerge, especially if either team is moving forward. If the ruck stops moving, or if the referee decides that the ball will probably not emerge within a reasonable time, the referee must order a scrum.

[edit] Law 17-Maul

DEFINITION

A maul occurs when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball-carrier's team-mates bind on the ball-carrier. A maul; threfore consists of at least three players, all on their feet; the ball-carrier and one player from each team. All the players involved must be caught in or bound to the maul and must be on their feet and moving towards a goal-line. Open play has ended.

1 FORMING A MAUL Where

A maul only takes place in the field-of-play.

Players must be on their feet.

Summary Maul: At least three players; all on their feet, the ball-carrier and one from each team.

2 JOINING A MAUL

(a) Players joining a maul must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.

Penalty: Free Kick

(b) A player must be caught in or bound to the maul and not just alongside it.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(d) Keeping players on their feet. Players in a maul must endeavour to stay on their feet. The ball carrier in a maul may go to ground providing the ball is available immediately and play continues.

(e) A player must not intentionally collapse a maul. This is dangerous play.

(f) A player must not jump on top of a maul.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

3 OTHER MAUL OFFENCES

(a) A player must not try to drag an opponent out of a maul.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

(b) A player must not take any action to make the opposing team think that the ball is out of the maul while it is still in the maul.

Penalty: Free Kick

4 OFF-SIDE AT THE MAUL

(a) The off-side line. There are two off-side lines parallel to the goal-lines, one for each team. Each off-side line runs through the hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the maul. If the hindmost foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal-line, the off-side line for the defending team is the goal-line.

(b) A player must either join a maul, or retire behind the off-side line immediately. If a player loiters at the side of a maul, the player is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line

(c) Players joining the maul. Players joining a maul must do so from behind the foot of the hindmost team-mate in the maul. The player may join alongside this player. If the player joins the maul from the opponents’ side, or in front of the hindmost team-mate, the player is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line

(d) Players not joining the maul. All players in front of the off-side line and who do not join the maul, must retire behind the off-side line at once. A player who does not do so, is off-side. If any player who is behind the off-side line oversteps it and does not join the maul, the player is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line

(e) Players leaving or rejoining the maul. Players who leave a maul must immediately retire behind the off-side line, otherwise, they are off-side. If the player rejoins the maul in front of the hindmost team-mate in the maul, they are off-side. The player may rejoin the maul alongside the hindmost team-mate.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line.

5 SUCCESSFUL END TO A MAUL

A maul ends successfully when the ball leaves the maul or a player with the ball leaves the maul. The maul ends when the ball is on or over the goal-line.

6 UNSUCCESSFUL END TO A MAUL

(a) A maul ends unsuccessfully if it remains stationary or has stopped moving forward for longer than 5 seconds and a scrum is ordered.

(b) A maul ends unsuccessfully if the ball becomes unplayable or collapses (not as a result of foul play) and a scrum is ordered.

c) Scrum following maul. The ball is thrown in by the team not in possession when the maul began. If the referee cannot decide which team had possession, the team moving forward before the maul stopped throws in the ball. If neither team was moving forward, the attacking team throws in the ball.

(d) When a maul remains stationary or stops moving forward but the ball is being moved and the referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball to emerge. If it does not emerge within a reasonable time a scrum is ordered. +

(e) Once a maul has stopped moving forward it may start moving forward again providing it does so within 5 seconds. If the maul stops moving forward a second time and if the ball is being moved and the referee can see it, a reasonable time is allowed for the ball to emerge. If it does not emerge within a reasonable time, a scrum is ordered.

(f) When the ball in a maul becomes unplayable, the referee does not allow prolonged wrestling for it. A scrum is ordered.

(g) If the ball-carrier in a maul goes to ground, including being on one or both knees or sitting, the referee orders a scrum unless the ball is immediately available.

(h) Scrum after a maul when catcher is held. If a player catches the ball direct from an opponent’s kick, except from a kick-off or a drop-out, and the player is immediately held by an opponent, a maul may form. Then if the maul remains stationary, stops moving forward for longer than 5 seconds, or if the ball becomes unplayable, and a scrum is ordered, the team of the ball catcher throws in the ball.

‘Direct from an opponent’s kick’ means the ball did not touch another player or the ground before the player caught it.

If a maul moves into the player’s in-goal, where the ball is touched down or becomes unplayable, a 5-metre scrum is formed. The attacking team throws in the ball.

[edit] Law 18-Mark

DEFINITION

To make a mark, a player must be on or behind that player's 22-metre line. A player with one foot on the 22 metre line or behind it is considered to be ‘in the 22’. The player must make a clean catch direct from an opponent’s kick and at the same time shout “Mark!”.

A mark cannot be made from a kick-off.

A kick is awarded for a mark. The place for the kick is the place of the mark.

A player may make a mark even though the ball touched a goal post or crossbar before being caught. A player from the defending team may make a mark in in-goal.

1 AFTER A MARK

The referee immediately blows the whistle and awards a kick to the player who made the mark.

2 KICK AWARDED

The kick is awarded at the place of the mark.

3 KICK – WHERE

The kick is taken at or behind the mark on a line through the mark.

4 WHO KICKS

The kick is taken by the player who made the mark. If that player cannot take the kick within one minute, a scrum is formed at the place of the mark with the ball thrown in by the player's team. If the mark is in the in-goal, the scrum is 5 metres from the goal-line, on a line through the mark.

5 HOW THE KICK IS TAKEN

The provisions of Law 21 - Free Kicks - apply to a kick awarded after a mark.

6 SCRUM ALTERNATIVE

(a) The team of the player who made the mark may choose to take a scrum

(b) Where the scrum is. If the mark is in the field-of-play, the scrum is at the place of the mark, but at least 5 metres from the touch-line. If the mark is in-goal, the scrum is 5 metres from the goal-line on a line through the mark, and at least 5 metres from the touch-line.

7 PENALTY KICK AWARDED

(a) An opponent, whether on-side or off-side, must not charge a player who has made a mark after the referee has blown the whistle.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

b) Where penalty kick is taken. If the infringing player is on-side, the penalty kick is taken at the place of the infringement. If the infringing player is off-side, the penalty kick is taken at the place of the off-side line (Law 11 Off-side and On-side in General Play.)

[edit] Law 19-Touch,Line-Out and line out off side

DEFINITIONS

‘Kicked directly into touch’ means that the ball was kicked into touch without landing on the playing area, and without touching a player or the referee.

‘The 22’ is the area between the goal-line and the 22-metre line, including the 22-metre line but excluding the goal-line.

The line-of-touch is an imaginary line in the field-of-play at right angles to the touch-line through the place where the ball is thrown in.

The ball is in touch when it is not being carried by a player and it touches the touch-line or anything or anyone on or beyond the touch-line.

The ball is in touch when a player is carrying it and the ball-carrier (or the ball) touches the touch-line or the ground beyond the touch-line.

The ball is in touch if a player catches the ball and that player has a foot on the touch-line or the ground beyond the touch line.

The place where the ball-carrier (or the ball) touched or crossed the touch-line is where it went into touch.

If a player has one foot in the field of play and one foot in touch and holds the ball, the ball is in touch.

If the ball crosses the touch-line or touch-in-goal line, and is caught by a player who has both feet in the playing area, the ball is not in touch or touch-in-goal. Such a player may knock the ball into the playing area. If a player jumps and catches the ball, both feet must land in the playing area otherwise the ball is in touch or touch-in-goal.

A player in touch may kick or knock the ball, but not hold it, provided it has not crossed the plane of the touch-line. The plane of the touch-line is the vertical space rising immediately above the touch-line.

1 THROW-IN

NO GAIN IN GROUND

(a) Outside a team's 22. A team member kicks directly into touch. Except for a penalty kick, when a player anywhere in the playing area who is outside the 22 kicks directly into touch, there is no gain in ground. The throw-in is taken either at the place opposite where the player kicked the ball, or at the place where it went into touch, whichever is nearer that player's goal-line.

(b) Player takes ball into that team's 22. When a defending player gets the ball outside the 22, takes or puts it inside the 22, and then kicks directly into touch, there is no gain in ground.

GAIN IN GROUND

(c) Player inside that team's 22. When a defending player gets the ball inside the 22, or that player's in-goal and kicks to touch, the throw-in is where the ball went into touch.

(d) Kicks indirectly into touch. When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks indirectly into touch, so that the ball bounces in the field-of-play, the throw-in is taken where the ball went into touch.

When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks the ball so that it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes indirectly into touch so that the ball blounces in the field-of-play, the throw-in is taken where the ball went into touch.

When a player anywhere in the field of play kicks the ball so that it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes directly into touch, the throw-in is taken in line with where the opposition player touched the ball of where the ball crossed the line if that is nearer the opposition player's goal-line.

PENALTY KICK

(e) Penalty kick. When a player kicks to touch from a penalty kick anywhere in the playing area, the throw-in is taken where the ball went into touch.

FREE KICK

(f) Outside the kicker’s 22, no gain in ground. When a free kick awarded outside the 22 goes directly into touch, the throw-in is in line with where the ball was kicked, or where it went into touch, whichever is nearer the kicker's goal-line.

(g) Inside the kicker’s 22 or in-goal, gain in ground. When a free kick is awarded in the 22 or in-goal and the kick goes directly into touch, the throw-in is where the ball went into touch.

2 QUICK THROW-IN

(a) A player may take a quick throw-in without waiting for a line-out to form.

(b) For a quick throw-in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the place where the ball went into touch and the player's goal-line.

(c) A player must not take a quick throw-in after the line-out has formed. If the player does, the quick throw-in is disallowed. The same team throws in at the line out.

(d) For a quick throw-in, the player must use the ball that went into touch. If, after it went to touch and was made dead, another ball is used, or if another person has touched the ball apart from the player throwing it in, then the quick throw-in is disallowed. The same team throws in at the line-out.

(e) At a quick throw-in, if the player does not throw the ball in straight so that it travels at least 5 metres along the line-of-touch before it touches the ground or another player, or if the player steps into the field-of-play when the ball is thrown, then the quick throw-in is disallowed. The opposing team chooses to throw in at either a line-out where the quick throw-in was attempted, or a scrum on the 15-metre line at that place. If they too throw in the ball incorrectly at the line-out, a scrum is formed on the 15-metre line. The team that first threw in the ball throws in the ball at the scrum.

(f) At a quick throw-in, a player may come to the line-of-touch and leave without being penalised.

(g) At a quick throw-in, a player must not prevent the ball being thrown in 5 metres.

Penalty: Free Kick on 15-metre line

(h) If a player carrying the ball is forced into touch, that player must release the ball to an opposition player so that there can be a quick throw – in.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on 15 - metre line

3 OTHER THROW-INS

On all other occasions, the throw-in is taken where the ball went into touch.

4 WHO THROWS-IN

The throw-in is taken by an opponent of the player who last held or touched the ball before it went into touch. When there is doubt, the attacking team takes the throw-in.

Exception

When a team takes a penalty kick, and the ball is kicked into touch, the throw-in is taken by a player of the team that took the penalty kick. This applies whether the ball was kicked directly or indirectly to touch.

5 HOW THE THROW-IN IS TAKEN

The player taking the throw-in must stand at the correct place. The player must not step into the field-of-play when the ball is thrown. The ball must be thrown straight, so that it travels at least 5 metres along the line-of-touch before it first touches the ground or touches or is touched by a player.

6 INCORRECT THROW-IN

(a) If the throw-in at a line-out is incorrect, the opposing team has the choice of throwing in at a line-out or a scrum on the 15-metre line. If they choose the throw-in to the line-out and it is again incorrect, a scrum is formed. The team that took the first throw-in throws in the ball.

(b) The throw-in at the line-out must be taken without delay and without pretending to throw.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

LINE-OUT DEFINITIONS

The purpose of the line-out is to restart play, quickly, safely and fairly, after the ball has gone into touch, with a throw-in between two lines of players. Line-out players.

Line-out players are the players who form the two lines that make a line-out.

Receiver. The receiver is the player in position to catch the ball when line-out players pass or knock the ball back from the line-out. Any player may be the receiver but each team may have only one receiver at a line-out.

Players taking part in the line-out known as participating players. Players taking part in the line-out are the player who throws-in and an immediate opponent, the two players waiting to receive the ball from the line-out and the line-out players.

All other players. All other players who are not taking part in the line-out must be at least 10 metres behind the line-of-touch, on or behind their goal-line if that is nearer, until the line-out ends.

15-metre line. The 15-metre line is 15 metres in-field and parallel with the touch-line.

Scrum after line-out. Any scrum ordered because of an infringement or stoppage at the line-out is on the 15-metre line on the line-of-touch

7 FORMING A LINE-OUT

(a) Minimum. At least two players from each team must form a line-out.

(b) Maximum. The team throwing in the ball decides the maximum number of players in the line-out.

(d) When the ball is in touch, every player who approaches the line-of-touch is presumed to do so to form a line-out.

(e) If the team throwing in the ball put fewer than the usual number of players in the line-out, their opponents must be given a reasonable time to move enough players out of the line-out to satisfy this law.

(f) These players must leave the line-out without delay. They must move to the off-side line, 10 metres behind the line-of-touch. If the line-out ends before they reach this line, they may rejoin play.

(g) Failure to form a line-out. A team must not voluntarily fail to form a line-out.

(h) Where the line-out players must stand. The front of the line-out is not less than 5 metres from the touch-line. The back of the line-out is not more than 15 metres from the touch-line. All line-out players must stand between these two points.

(i) Two single straight lines. The line-out players of both teams form two single parallel lines each at right angles to the touch-line.

(j) Opposing players forming a line-out must keep a clear space between their inside shoulders. This space is determined when players are in an upright stance.

(k) Metre gap. Each line of players must be half a metre on their side of the line-of-touch.

(l) The line-of touch must not be within 5 metres of the goal-line.

Penalty: (a) - (k) Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(m) After the line-out has formed, but before the ball has been thrown in, a player must not hold, push, charge into, or obstruct an opponent.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

8 BEGINNING AND ENDING A LINE-OUT

(a) Line-out begins. The line-out begins when the ball leaves the hands of the player throwing it in.

(b) Line-out ends. The line-out ends when the ball or a player carrying it leaves the line-out.

This includes the following:

When the ball is thrown, knocked or kicked out of the line-out, the line-out ends. When a line-out player hands the ball to a player who is peeling-off, the line-out ends. When the ball is thrown beyond the 15-metre line, or when a player takes or puts it beyond that line, the line-out ends.

When the ball or a player carrying the ball moves into the area between the 5-metre line and the touch-line. When a ruck or maul develops in a line-out, and all the feet of all the players in the ruck or maul move beyond the line-of-touch, the line-out ends. When the ball becomes unplayable in a line-out, the line-out ends. Play restarts with a scrum.

9 OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN A LINE-OUT

(a) Off-side. A line-out player must not be off-side. The off-side line runs through the line-of-touch until the ball is thrown in. After the ball has touched a player or the ground, the off-side line is a line through the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(b) Players jumping for the ball may take a step in any direction providing they do not step across the line-of-touch.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(d) Holding or shoving. A line-out player must not hold, push, charge, obstruct or grasp an opponent not holding the ball except when a ruck or maul is taking place.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(e) Illegal charging. A line-out player must not charge an opponent except in an attempt to tackle the opponent or to play the ball.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(f) Levering on a team-mate. A jumping line-out player must not use a team-mate as a support to jump.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(g) Lifting. A line-out player must not lift a team-mate.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(h) Support before jumping. A player must not support a team-mate before the team-mate has jumped.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(i) Jumping or supporting before the ball is thrown. A player must not jump for the ball or support any player before the ball has left the hands of the player throwing it in.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(j) Pre-grip below the waist. A player must not pre-grip any team-mate below the waist.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(k) Support of a player. A player must not support a jumping team-mate below the shorts from behind or below the thighs from the front.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(l) Lowering a player. Players who support a jumping team-mate must lower that player to the ground as soon as the ball has been won by a player of either team.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(m) Blocking the throw-in. A line-out player must not stand less than 5 metres from the touch-line. A line-out player must not prevent the ball being thrown in 5 metres.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

(n) When the ball has been thrown beyond a player in the line-out, that player may move to the space between the touch-line and the 5 metres mark. If the player moves into that space the player must not move towards that player's goal-line before the line-out ends, except in a peeling off movement.

Penalty: Free-Kick on the 15-metre line

(o) Catching or deflecting. When jumping for the ball, a player must use either both hands or the inside arm to try to catch or deflect the ball. The jumper must not use the outside arm alone to try to catch or deflect the ball. If the jumper has both hands above the head either hand may be used to play the ball.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line.

10 OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PLAYERS NOT IN THE LINE-OUT

In general, a player not taking part in a line-out must stay at least 10 metres behind the line-of-touch, or on or behind that player's goal-line if that is nearer, until the line-out ends.

There are two exceptions to this:

Exception 1: Long throw-in. If the player who is throwing in throws the ball beyond the 15-metre line, a player of the same team may run forward to take the ball. If that player does so, an opponent may also run forward.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line, opposite the place of infringement but not less than 15 metres from the touch-line.

Exception 2: The receiver may run into a gap and perform any of the actions available to any other player in the line-out. The receiver is liable to penalty for offences in the line-out as would be any other players in the line-out.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

11 PEELING OFF DEFINITION

A line-out player ‘peels off’ when leaving the line-out to catch the ball knocked or passed back by a team-mate.

(a) When: A player must not peel off until the ball has left the hands of the player throwing it in.

(b) Where: A player who peels off, must stay near the line-out and move parallel with it until the line-out ends or a ruck or maul is formed and that player joins it.

Penalty: Free Kick on the 15-metre line

12 OFF-SIDE AT THE LINE-OUT

(a) When a line-out forms, there are two separate off-side lines, parallel to the goal-lines, for the teams.

(b) Participating players. One off-side applies to the players taking part in the line-out (usually some or all of the forwards, plus the scrum-half and the player throwing in). Until the ball is thrown in, and has touched a player or the ground, this off-side line is the line-of-touch. After that, the off-side line is a line through the ball.

(c) Players not taking part. The other off-side line applies to the players not taking part in the line-out (usually the backs). For them, the off-side line is 10 metres behind the line-of-touch or their goal line, if that is nearer.

The line-out off-side law is different in the case of a long throw-in, or in the case of a ruck or maul in the line-out.

13 OFF-SIDE WHEN TAKING PART IN THE LINE-OUT

(a) Before the ball has touched a player or the ground. A player must not overstep the line-of-touch. A player is off-side, if, before the ball has touched a player or the ground, that player oversteps the line-of-touch, unless doing so while jumping for the ball. The player must jump from that player's side of the line-of-touch.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(b) If a player jumps and crosses the line-of-touch but fails to catch the ball, that player is not penalised provided that player gets back on-side without delay.

(c) After the ball has touched a player or the ground. A player not carrying the ball is off-side if, after the ball has touched a player or the ground, that player steps in front of the ball, unless tackling (or trying to tackle) an opponent. Any attempt to tackle must start from that player’s side of the ball.

(d) The referee must penalise any player who, voluntarily or not, moves into an off-side position without trying to win possession or tackle an opponent.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(e) No player of either team participating in the line-out may leave the line-out until it has ended.

14 PLAYER THROWING-IN

There are four options available to the player throwing-in (and the thrower's immediate opponent):

(a) The thrower may stay within 5 metres of the touch-line.

(b) The thrower may retire to the off-side line 10 metres behind the line-of-touch.

(d) The thrower may move into the receiver position if that position is empty. If the thrower goes anywhere else, the thrower is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

15 OFF-SIDE WHEN NOT TAKING PART IN THE LINE-OUT

(a) Before the line-out has ended. The off-side line is 10 metres behind the line-of-touch, or the player’s goal-line, whichever is nearer. A player who is not taking part in the line-out is offside if that player oversteps the off-side line before the line-out has ended.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team's off-side line opposite the place of infringement, at least 15 metres from the touch-line.

(b) Players not yet on-side when the ball is thrown in. A player may throw in the ball even if a team-mate has not yet reached the off-side line. However, if this player is not trying to reach an on-side position without delay, this player is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the offending team’s off-side line opposite the place of infringement, at least 15 metres from the touch-line

Exception: Long throw-in. There is an exception to the law of off-side at the line-out. It applies if the ball is thrown beyond the 15-metre line. As soon as the ball leaves the hands of the player throwing in, any players of the thrower's team may run for the ball.

This means that a player taking part in the line-out may run in-field beyond the 15-metre line, and a player not taking part in the line-out may run forward across the off-side line.

If this happens, an opponent may also run in-field or run forward.

However, if a player runs in-field or runs forward to take a long throw-in, and the ball is not thrown beyond the 15-metre line, this player is off-side and must be penalised.

Penalty: Penalty Kick

For players taking part in the line-out: penalty kick is on the 15-metre line.

For players not taking part in the line-out: penalty kick is on the offending team’s off-side line at the place of infringement, at least 15 metres from the touch-line.

16 OFF-SIDE AT RUCKS OR MAULS IN THE LINE-OUT

(a) When a ruck or a maul develops in a line-out. the off-side line for a player taking part in the line-out no longer runs through the ball. The off-side line is now the hindmost foot of that player’s team in the ruck or maul.

(b) However, for players not taking part in the line-out, the off-side line is still 10 metres behind the line-of-touch. For these players, the line-out does not end when a ruck or maul develops.

(c) It ends when the ruck or maul leaves the line-of-touch. For this to happen, all the feet of all the players in the ruck or maul must have left the line-of-touch.

(d) A player taking part in the line-out must either join the ruck or maul, or retire to the off-side line and stay at that line, Otherwise that player is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(e) The rest of the law of ruck or maul applies. A player must not join the ruck or maul from the opponents’ side. Players must not join it in front of the off-side line. If they do, they are off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the 15-metre line

(f) Players not taking part in the line-out. When a ruck or maul develops in a line-out, the line-out has not ended until all the feet of all the players in the ruck or maul have moved beyond the line-of-touch. Until then, the off-side line for players not taking part in the line-out is still 10 metres behind the line-of-touch, or the goal-line if that is nearer. A player who oversteps this off-side line is off-side.

Penalty: Penalty Kick on the off-side line at least 15 metres from the touch-line

Retrieved from "http://armchairgm.wikia.com/Rugby_Union_Rules"

This page was last modified 13:26, 8 August 2007. Content is available under the GFDL.

Rugby Union Rules

Contents

[edit] Object of the Game

[edit] Definitions

[edit] Positions

[edit] Laws

[edit] Law 1-Ground

[edit] Law 2-The Ball

[edit] Law 3-Number of players-The Team

[edit] Law 4- Players Clothing

[edit] Law 5-Time

[edit] Law 6-Match Officials

[edit] Law 7-Mode of Play

[edit] Law 8-Advantage

[edit] Law 9-Method of Scoring

[edit] Law 10-Foul Play

[edit] Law 11-Offside and Onside in General Play

[edit] Law 12-Knock on or Thrown Forward

[edit] Law 13-Kickoff and Restarts

[edit] Law 14- Ball on the Ground-No Tackle

[edit] Law 15-Tackle Ball Carrier is brought to Ground

[edit] Law 16-Ruck

[edit] Law 17-Maul

[edit] Law 18-Mark

[edit] Law 19-Touch,Line-Out and line out off side

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