RECENT CHANGES IN RUGBY LAWS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 20 August 1954, Page 6

RECENT CHANGES IN RUGBY LAWS

OFF-SIDE RULE AND THE SCRTJMMAGE

(By

J. W.

Woodward)

The alteration to the "off-side" rule as it effects the scrum, as in the case of a line-out, aims at opening up the play and giving the backs more opportunities. The wording is altered from "a player is off-side if, while the ball is in the scrummage he, not being in the scrummage, remains with either foot in front of the bail," to ''not being in the scrummage, he advances either foot in front of the ball in the scrummage." The deletion of the words "remains" is the important part of the new rule. A player is not now allowed to advance ahead of the ball and then retire behind it, then repeat the actions if he felt so iriclined. Thus the referee is relieved of his worry of deciding whether this player had made a genuine mistake and thought the ball to be clear of the scrum, and was making an effort to return "on-side," or whether, as was mostly the case, it was a deliberate act of obstruction to harass the lialfback or five-eighths. Any player so advancing is now off-side immediately, so must make sure where the ball is and stay behind it or risk a penalty. Most will agree that it is a good thing — referees and half-backs certainly will. As a matter of interest, tliough the law is not changed, I will quote the other clauses relating to offside round the scrummage, which provide that "while a scrummage is forming or is taking place a player is off-side if he enters the scrummage from his opponents side, or being in front of the ball and not in the scrummage he fails to retire behind the bail without deiay." This part refers to the player who is already in front of the ball when the scrum is forming and will apply mostly in the case of "loose" scrums. He will be penalised only if he remains in such a position and will naturally be given reasonable opportunity to return "onside." A "Note" to the law states that "a player is not in a scrummage unless he is binding with either arm a player of his own team in the scrummage." This automatically puts "outside the law" the flanker with a hand on his teammate— he can be penalised if he puts a foot in front. At the same time it raises an important point as tq the position when the scrum has pushed, or twisted, in such a way that it is impossible for some players to remain binded and still stay on their feet. The N.Z. Rugby Union have asked that the "note" be interpretated with common sense and in the circumstances stated the referee shall disregard it. It is recognised that "all circumstances that occur in a "loose" scrummage could not always comply with such wording. However let me sound a warning that this ruling is not to be construed into an invitation to deliberately take advantage of it in order to flout the "off-side" law. Referees will judge each case on its merits and act accordingly.