2016 Law Changes and Amendments

Summary of Laws affected Scrum Maul Penalty Kick Forward Pass

Scrum NEW LAWS Half back cannot move into space between flanker and #8. SANCTION = PK Scrum collapse = advantage may be played if safe to do so. “Use it” call when ball at no. 8 feet and scrum stationery. Scrum through 90 degrees = same team feed. Scrum formed within 30 sec from mark being made. SANCTION = FK Forming a scrum Don’t sit there with the stop watch on. Use common sense and only penalise if they are deliberately not forming the scrum. SANCTION – FREE KICK.   Ending a scrum If the ball is at the Number-8’s feet and the scrum is NOT moving forward, the referee will call “Use it!” The ball must be released from the scrum. Scrum wheeled beyond 90° The Reason for this is to encourage defensive teams to drive straight rather than wheeling. Teams must drive straight to “earn the turn.” There is now no incentive for teams to wheel the scrum. DSLV for senior rugby. Offside at the scrum The halfback of the team that has not won the ball must not step in front of the ball nor step into the space between the flanker and the Number-8. Advantage Law Play may continue when a scrum collapses IF the ball is available to be played (usually by the halfback or Number-8). The ball must be played.

Where can the halfback stand? If the defensive halfback chooses to start at the tunnel they half options of where to go from there – Option 1 – Follow the ball around once it has been fed with the ball being the offside line (both feet must be behind the ball). Option 2 – Move to the number 8’s feet and is free to roam anywhere along that line. Option 3 – Start 5m back with the rest of the backline. NEW LAW – The defensive halfback may not move into the space between the flanker and No. 8 when following the ball through the scrum. NEW LAW – The defensive halfback may not move into the space between the flanker and No. 8 when following the ball through the scrum. SANCTION = PK

Advantage after Scrum Collapse Scrum collapse = advantage may be played if safe to do so. Example of when not to play advantage would be if a player is lifted up in the air.

“Use It” Call at Scrum Time. If the ball is at the Number-8’s feet and the scrum is NOT moving forward, the referee will call “Use it!.” The ball must be released from the scrum.

Lineout to Maul NEW LAWS/CLARITY Lineout formation - No player may stand within 5m of the touchline and block or prevent the ball from being thrown-in. Sanction = FK Player at the front with the ball cannot “slide” to the back. Sanction = PK

How to do it legally...

Penalty Kicks Penalty Kick or Free Kick The mark for Penalty Kicks and Free Kicks must be at least 5m from the goal line for both the attacking and defending teams.

Forward Pass Throw Forward The definition of a Throw Forward has been re-worded. A throw forward occurs when a player throws or passes the ball forward. I.E, if the arms of the player passing the ball move towards the opposing team’s dead ball line.

Just Like This...

Unfair Play Unfair Play Players who falsely indicate (waving of arms, diving, etc) that an offence has been committed by the opposition will be penalised.

Summary Maul: Player in possession of ball is not allowed to move/slide to back of maul – Penalty kick Collapsed scrum – referee may now play advantage Player may not block throw-in at a lineout – Free Kick Scrum formed within 30 seconds of ref making mark – Free Kick Wheeled scrum: ball thrown–in by team that previously threw it in Scrum: halfback may not step into space between flanker and No.8 – Penalty kick Penalty kick: not within five metres of goal-line Penalty kick: Simulation

WEARING OF MOUTHGUARDS Compulsory at all levels of domestic rugby in NZ since 1998 (DSLV) Law has not been adhered to (coaches and players) or strictly enforced (refs) Player safety is paramount 2016 – strict enforcement of this DSLV

WEARING OF MOUTHGUARDS APPLICATION OF LAW IN 2016 First offending player – penalized / instructed to leave field to obtain a mouthguard. Law 10.2 (a) Intentionally Offending Play continues whilst this player is off the field If this player is unable to return wearing a mouthguard he/she may not be replaced for 10 minutes. This is now a permanent replacement and offending player cannot return to field under any circumstances Subsequent offending players from same team will be issued a Yellow Card. Law 10.3 (b) Repeated Infringements by the team Don’t go looking for it. Include it in your pre-match and put the responsibility back on the team through the captain. Try and manage it first...e.g. If you see a player with it in their sock then ask them to put it back in rather than firing off a PK. If it becomes a wholesale problem then call time off and allow for the teams to go and get their mouthguards. If opposition players start pointing each other out not having them then tell them it is not their concern.