"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. If other than a drop kick is used at a kick-off or restart kick, what should the referee rule?

2. At a kick-off or restart kick following a score, what should the referee rule if the opposition players are not on or behind their 10m line?

3. At a kick-off or restart kick following a score, if the ball reaches the 10m line but is blown back or if an opponent of the kicker plays the ball, what should the referee rule?

4. At a kick-off or restart kick following a score, if the ball goes directly into touch, what should the referee rule?

5. How is a 22m drop out taken?

6. At a drop out, if the ball does not reach the 22m line, can advantage apply?

7. When does a lineout commence?

8. Once a lineout is formed may players leave the lineout?

9. Once a lineout has commenced, what can lineout players do?

10. When a ruck or maul forms at the mark of touch, what may lineout players do?

11. When does a lineout end?

ANSWERS – Week 15

1. When may front row players strike for the ball to gain possession?

Once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel (Law 19.20 – FK)

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

Yes (Law 19.22 – FK)

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

Stop play immediately (Law 19.25)

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?

Call “use it” and the team in possession must play the ball.

DSLV: In under 19 rugby and below, the ball must be released from the scrum once the ball is heeled and controlled at the base of the scrum.

(Law 19.26 – Scrum)

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

A. on that team’s side of the middle line next to the opposing scrum half, or

B. at least 5m behind the hindmost foot of their team’s last player in the scrum and must remain there until the scrum is over.

(Law 19.28 – PK)

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

A. take up a position with both feet behind the ball and close to the scrum but not in the space between the lock and the flanker, or

B. permanently retire to a point on that team’s offside line, or

C. permanently retire at least 5m behind the hindmost foot.

(Law 19.30 – PK)

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

When the hindmost foot of a team is in in-goal or within 5m of the goal-line (Law 19.32 – PK)

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

A. the ball comes out either end of the tunnel,

B. the scrum collapses or breaks up,

C. it wheels more than 90 degrees (45 degrees under DSLV),

D. neither side wins possession,

E. the ball is accidentally kicked out of the tunnel – if it is intentional PK.

(Law 19.34)

9. When does a scrum end?

A. when the ball comes out in any direction except the tunnel,

B. when the ball is picked up by the hindmost player or that team’s scrum half,

C. when the number eight picks up the ball from under the feet of a second rower,

D. when the referee blows the whistle for an infringement,

E. when the ball in a scrum is on or over the goal-line.

(Law 19.36)

10. What does dangerous play in a scrum include?

A. front rows charging against each other,

B. pulling an opponent,

C. intentionally lifting an opponent off their feet or forcing them upwards out of the scrum, D. intentionally collapsing a scrum,

E. intentionally falling or kneeling.

(Law 19.37 – PK)

11. What are other restricted practices at a scrum?

A. falling on or over the ball after it has emerged from the scrum,

B. the scrum half kicking the ball while it is in the scrum,

C. a non-front row player holding or pushing an opponent,

(Law 19.38 – PK)

D. bringing the ball back into the scrum after it has left,

E. non-front row players playing the ball while it is in the tunnel,

F. a scrum half attempting to make an opponent believe the ball is out of the scrum when it is not.

(Law 19.38 – FK)

Article added: Friday 23 July 2021