"SET PIECE" 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 may front row players strike for the ball to gain possession?

2. Must the hooker from the team that threw the ball in strike for the ball?

3. What must the referee do if the scrum collapses or a player is lifted up or out of the scrum?

4. When the scrum is stationary and the ball is available at the back of the scrum for 3-5 seconds, what should the referee do?

5. Where must the scrum half not throwing the ball in stand to avoid being offside?

6. Once the scrum begins, how must the scrum half of the team not in possession stand to avoid being offside?

7. When is the goal-line the offside line for non-participants at a scrum?

8. When there is no infringement, when should a referee reset the scrum?

9. When does a scrum end?

10. What does dangerous play in a scrum include?

11. What are other restricted practices at a scrum?

ANSWERS – Week 14

1. Where is a scrum formed?

In the scrum zone at a mark indicated by the referee (Law 19.2)

2. What does the referee make the mark for?

To create the middle line of the scrum (Law 19.3)

3. How long have teams got to form a scrum after the mark has been made?

30 seconds (Law 19.4 – FK)

4. When both teams have 15 players, how many players must be in the scrum?

8, 3 in the front row, 2 locks and 3 in the back row (Law 19.5 – PK)

5. When a team is reduced to fewer than 15 players for any reason, can the number of players in each team in the scrum be similarly reduced?

Yes, however they are not obliged to (Law 19.6)

DSLV: Scrum formation when forward numbers are reduced – 7 forwards 3-4, 6 forwards 3-2-1, 5 forwards 3-2

6. When should the referee call “crouch” and how should the front rows crouch?

When both sides are square, stable and stationary and

• A. the front rows then adopt a crouched position with head and shoulders no lower than their hips,
• B. front rowers crouch ear against ear with their heads to the left of their immediate opponent so that no player’s forehead is up against an opponent’s forehead.

(Law 19.10 – FK)

7. When should the referee call “bind” and how should the front rows bind?

When both sides are square, stable and stationary and

• A. each loose head prop binds by placing the left arm inside the right arm of the opposing tight head prop,
• B. each tight head prop binds by placing the right arm outside the left upper arm of the opposing loose head prop,
• C. each prop binds by gripping the back or side of the opponent’s jersey,
• D. all players binding is maintained throughout the duration of the scrum.

(Law 19.11 – PK)

8. When should the referee call “set”?

When both sides are square, stable and stationary and

• A. only then may the teams engage,
• B. all players must be in a position to push forward,
• C. each front row player must have both feet on the ground with their weight firmly on at least one foot,
• D. each hooker’s feet must be in line or behind the foremost foot of that team’s props.

(Law 19.12 – FK)

9. How does the scrum half throw the ball into the scrum?

• A. from the chosen side,
• B. from outside the tunnel,
• C. without delay,
• D. with a single forward movement,
• E. at quick speed,
• F. straight with the scrum half being able to stand a shoulder width closer to their side of the scrum,
• G. so the ball first touches the ground inside the tunnel.

(Law 19.15 – FK)

10. When does a scrum begin?

When the ball leaves the hands of the scrum half (Law 19.16)

11. When may teams push?

Only when the scrum begins (Law 19.17 – FK)

DSLV: In U19 rugby and below and women’s rugby below Premier Grade, scrums may only push up to a maximum of 1.5m towards the opponent’s goal line.

12. How may players push in the scrum?

By pushing straight and parallel to the ground (Law 19.19 – PK)

DSLV: U19 and below and women’s rugby below Premier Grade, teams may not deliberately wheel a scrum (FK), and if a scrum does wheel more than 45 degrees and this is unintentional, it is reset

Article added: Thursday 15 July 2021