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Law changes this year are thankfully fewer than in previous years. They are confined to a change of kicking method at the start of each half (Law 13), uniformity when a drop-out goes into in-goal (also Law 13), and an amendment to line-out formation for players participating in the line-out (Law 19). Clarification for regulations relating to players’ dress are covered, together with additional clarification issues that do not make fundamental changes in the law itself. Therefore, we need only really concern ourselves with the substantive Law changes (those referred to above), but for issues of international clarity, the reworded laws are also included.
DEFINITIONS ADDED TO LAW
Red and Yellow Cards. Playing Time = Time excluding time lost. Actual Time = Elapsed time including time lost for any reason.
LAW 3 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS – THE TEAM
3.10(a) Players leaving the field for a blood injury have 15 minutes elapsed time in which to return to the field. This includes half-time. 3.14(a) & (d) Uncontested scrums, wording altered for international clarity.
LAW 4 - PLAYERS’ DRESS
The schedule for what clothing is permitted has been significantly revised. In essence, if clothing does not bear the IRB Approval Mark, it may not be worn in a match. Players may now wear fingerless mitts. The regulation regarding ‘Adidas Traxion’ studs is to be continued for another season.
LAW 6 - MATCH OFFICIALS
6.A.8 Wording changed to allow referee to consult with television match officials in situations of foul play in-goal, and the awarding of penalty tries for acts of foul play ingoal affecting try scoring situations.
6.B.5(d) Clarify when touch judge should lower the flag.
LAW 10 - FOUL PLAY
10.2(c) Players may not voluntarily knock the ball backward into touch or touch in-goal.
10.4(e) Players must not attempt to tackle a player whose feet are off the ground except when he is in the act of diving to score a try.
10.4(h) A player must not tackle, tap, push, or pull the feet of an opponent jumping for the ball in a line-out or open play.
LAW 12 - KNOCK-ON OR THROW-FORWARD
It is illegal to deliberately knock the ball over a player in a forward direction to catch it.
LAW 13 - KICK-OFF & RESTART KICKS
13.2(a) All kicks from restarts and the start of each half, will be drop-kicks.
NEW: 13.16 This kick is to be treated in the same way as a kick-off. If the ball goes into in-goal without having touched or been touched by a player, the opposing team has the same three choices:
• Ground the ball • Make it dead • Play on
If they make it dead, or ground the ball, or the ball goes dead, they have the option of:
• Kicking again • Scrum, their put-in, on the centre of the 22m
Grounding the ball or making it dead must be done without delay.
Drop out - Previously had a player dropped out directly into opponents in goal where it was immediately touched down the award would have beed a drop out on their 22. Now to come into line with Kicks/Restarts they can opt for their throw in scrum back on opponenets 22.
LAW 15 - BALL CARRIER BROUGHT TO THE GROUND
15.7 After the tackle, any players on their feet may attempt to gain possession by taking the ball from the ball carrier’s possession. Law relating to how they enter the tackle has not altered.
LAW 19 - TOUCH, LINEOUT AND LINEOUT OFFSIDE
19.1(d) If the ball is touched after a kick by an opponent and then bounces in the field of play, the throw is taken where the ball went into touch. If the ball is touched by an opponent and goes directly into touch, the throw is taken in line with where the ball was touched or, if nearer, their opponents’ goal line at the point where it crosses the line.
19.2(e) The ball must travel 5m before it touches the ground or player.
19.7(d) Amendment to cover players approaching the line-out and then leaving. Players must approach without delay and not leave the line-out once they have taken up a position in it. N.B. This does not preclude players from changing positions in the line-out until the ball is thrown in as per Law 19.11(c).
19.11(b) A player who peels off, must stay within the area from that player’s line-oftouch to 10m from the line-of-touch and must keep moving, until the line-out has ended.
NEW: 19.13(e) No player of either team may leave the line-out until it has ended. Added for clarity; no law change.
LAW 20 - SCRUM
Added for clarity under definition: Middle line of the scrum must not be within 5m of the goal line and a scrum cannot take place within 5m of the touchline.
20.4 Team who originally throws in the ball, throws the ball into a further scrum if it collapses or lifts, but is not penalised.
20.6(b) Original intention of this law was for the scrum-half to hold the ball in both hands with the ball’s long axis parallel to the ground and touchline when he throws the ball into the scrum. Part of the ball must break the middle line between the front rows.
20.12 Re-defines where the non-throwing in scrum-half may stand. No change in law.
UNDER 19 VARIATION:
20.1(f) Exception - wording changed from ‘may’ to ‘must’. No law change.
IRB PROTOCOL FOR INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
Technical areas will now be provided at international matches for two
medical personnel, a team attendant, and three water-carriers. They cannot
remain spread around the field. This does not, as yet, apply to any other
matches.