"LAW KNOWLEDGE & APPLICATION" 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 your local session next week for discussion.

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

1. When is the ball in touch or touch-in-goal?

2. When is the ball not in touch or touch-in-goal?

3. At a quick throw in, how is the ball thrown in?

4. When should a quick lineout be disallowed?

5. What does it mean if the mark of touch is outside the 22 and the defending team take a quick throw inside the 22?

6. What is the scrum zone?

7. Where does a scrum take place and who throws in after:

• A knock-on or throw forward, apart from at a lineout?
• A knock-on or throw forward at a lineout; incorrect throw at a lineout; incorrect quick throw?
• Offside in open play (scrum option)?
• A penalty or free-kick (scrum option)?
• The ball is taken into in-goal by the defending team and made dead?
• An unplayable tackle or ruck?
• A maul that ends unsuccessfully?
• An unplayable maul after kick in open play?
• An incorrect kick-off or restart kick (scrum option)?
• Failure to “use it” at scrum, ruck or maul?
• The ball or ball-carrier touches the referee and either team gains an advantage?
• Stoppage due to injury?
• Reset scrum – no infringement?
• A penalty attempt at goal not taken within the time limit?
• A player unable to take a free-kick after a mark within one minute?
• The referee awards a scrum for any other reason not covered in law?

WEEK 11 ANSWERS

1. For a PK or FK awarded at a lineout, what options does the non-offending team have instead of taking a PK or FK.?

Scrum or Lineout (Law 20.4)

2. Can any player of the non-offending team take a PK or FK?

Yes, except for a FK awarded for a mark (Law 20.6)

3. What should happen if a PK or FK is taken so quickly that the opposition do not have an opportunity to retreat 10m?

They won’t be sanctioned as long as they do not take part in the game until they have retreated 10m or have been put on side by an onside team-mate (Law 20.14)

4. What should the referee rule if the opposing team obstruct or delay the taking of a PK or FK?

Advance the mark 10m but the kick cannot be taken until the referee has made the mark (Law 20.15)

5. How can the ball be grounded in in-goal?

a. by holding the ball and touching the ground with it

b. by pressing down on it with hand/s, arm/s, or front of the body from waist to neck

(Law 21.1)

6. What happens when a ball carrier grounds the ball in the in-goal and simultaneously makes contact with the touch line or ground beyond?

A lineout should be awarded to the opposition (Law 21.5)

7. Can a player in touch in-goal ground the ball for a touch down or a try?

Yes, as long as they do not hold the ball (Law 21.9)

8. Except from an unsuccessful kick at goal or attempted drop goal, what should the referee rule if the ball is kicked from the field of play into touch-in-goal or over the dead ball line without being touched by the defending team?

The defending team can choose:

a. to have a drop out 22 or

b. to have a scrum at the place where the ball was kicked

(Law 21.11)

9. What happens if the ball or a ball carrier touches a corner flag post without otherwise being in touch or touch in goal?

Play continues unless the ball is grounded against the post (Law 21.15)

10. What should the referee rule if there is doubt about who grounded the ball in-in-goal?

Award a 5m scrum to the attacking team in line with the place where the ball was grounded (Law 21.17)

Article added: Sunday 20 June 2021