FOUL PLAY THEME

Have a go! Support your answers with relevant Law Reference and Sanction. Answers will be listed in next week's Law Questions.

Referees - bring your answers to our Baywide Meeting next week for discussion.

Thanks to Graeme Meyrick for compiling. Want to get in touch to discuss law? Contact meyrick@xtra.co.nz

1. A sin binned player kicks the ball away to stop an opponent from quickly restarting play. What action should the referee take against the sin binned player?

2. At a lineout the thrower repeatedly throws in not straight. What should the referee rule?

3. An attacker is dangerously tackled close to the goal line but is still able to reach out and score a try near the corner post. What must the referee consider in deciding if a penalty try should be awarded?

4. The ball is in touch and players are moving to form a lineout when an attacker punches an opponent. Where is the place for the penalty?

5. A player is obstructed immediately after making a kick in general play. The ball lands four metres from the touch line. The referee awards a penalty. Where is the mark for the penalty?

6. A player intentionally wastes time near the end of the game. What does the referee rule?

7. Defenders twice prevent he ball from being released at a tackle close to the goal line preventing the attackers an opportunity to score. The referee gives a general warning. Another defender then similarly offends. What action must the referee take?

8. A free kick is awarded to the attackers 5 metres from the goal line. An attacker some distance behind the kicker runs forward prior to the ball being kicked. A tap-kick is taken and the player running forward is passed the ball. What should the referee rule?

9. In open play, may a player lift or support a team-mate?

Week 3 - ANSWERS

1. A defender is penalised for punching for which the referee issues a yellow card. Before the kick is taken this defender is guilty of further misconduct. What sanction must the referee apply?

Caution or send off and advance the penalty 10m (Law 9.28 and 20.1 Box 6)

2. While play is in progress a defender in touch punches an attacker also in touch. This occurs in line with the 22. Play stops when the ball goes into touch 5 metres from the defender’s goal line. The referee admonishes the defender and awards a penalty. Where is the mark for the penalty?

15 x 22 (Law 20.1 Box 3)

3. The ball has gone into touch. The referee then observes an incident of foul play near the centre of the field and awards a penalty. Where is the mark for the penalty?

Where the ball has gone into touch on the 15-metre line (Law 20.1 Box 2)

4. Two opponents are running for the ball jostling shoulder-to-shoulder. What should the referee rule?

Play on (Law 9.1)

5. An AR signals Foul Play. At the next stoppage in play the AR reports to the referee that a Red player shoulder charged a Blue player and that the Blue player retaliated by punching the Red player. What action should the referee take?

May caution both players with Red team awarded Penalty kick (Law 9.21)

6. A player who is onside and standing at the offside line, prevents an opponent from tackling the ball carrier. What should the referee rule?

PK (Law 9.3)

7. At a penalty an attacker takes a quick tap and runs forward intentionally into a retiring defender in an attempt to be awarded a further penalty. What does the referee rule?

A penalty to the defenders at the original mark (Law 9.7c)

8. At a penalty the ball is tap kicked and passed to a teammate who drives forward. Immediately team-mates bind each side of the ball carrier in a wedge formation. Is this action permitted?

No (Law 9.22)

9. At a ruck the scrum-half of the team in possession is gesturing wildly and remonstrating for a penalty. Should the referee penalise this player for dissent?

Yes (Law 9.28)

Article added: Thursday 29 April 2021