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New laws 2017-18 season


By Lindsay Clayton
September 25 2017

World Rugby announce six law changes World Rugby introduce six law changes Implemented from 1 August in northern hemisphere Relate to scrum, tackle and ruck areas 

The World Rugby Executive Committee has approved the addition of six law amendments to the programme of global law trials.

The amendments, which have been tried in specific international competitions this year, relate to the scrum (Law 20) and tackle/ruck (Laws 15 and 16), and are aimed at making the game simpler to play and referee, as well as further protecting player welfare.

The six law amendments will debut in full from 1 August 2017 in the northern hemisphere, and from 1 January 2018 in the southern hemisphere, and are as follows...

Throwing the ball into the scrum

Law 20.5 & 20.5 (d) 5

No signal from referee. The scrum-half must throw the ball in straight, but is allowed to align their shoulder on the middle line of the scrum, therefore allowing them to stand a shoulder width towards their own side of the middle line.

Rationale: To promote scrum stability, a fair contest for possession while also giving the advantage to the team throwing in.

Handling in the scrum – exception

Law 20.9 (b)

The number eight shall be allowed to pick the ball from the feet of the second-rows.

Rationale: To promote continuity.

Striking after the throw-in

Law 20

Once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel, any front-row player may use either foot to try to win possession of the ball. One player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball.

Rationale: To promote a fair contest for possession.

Sanction: Free-kick

Law 15.4 (c)

The tackler must get up before playing the ball and then can only play from their own side of the tackle “gate”.

Rationale: To make the tackle/ruck simpler for players and referees and more consistent with the rest of that law.

Ruck

Law 16

A ruck commences when at least one player is on their feet and over the ball which is on the ground (tackled player, tackler). At this point the offside lines are created. Players on their feet may use their hands to pick up the ball as long as this is immediate. As soon as an opposition player arrives, no hands can be used.

Rationale: To make the ruck simpler for players and referees.

Other ruck offences

Law 16.4

A player must not kick the ball out of a ruck. The player can only hook it in a backwards motion.

Rationale: To promote player welfare and to make it consistent with scrum law.

Sanction: Penalty

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New laws 2017-18 season
Discussion started by Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk , 25/09/2017 14:44
Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk
25/09/2017 14:44
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:10:09:08:45:16 by Powick Eastander.

Day tripper
27/09/2017 13:36
Did they not introduce the law about kicking to touch after the final whistle.
If a penalty occurs the kick can go to touch after the whistle and the lineout must be taken. It must be tapped first before kicking to touch if the lineout is not wanted.
Did i dream this one or did it just not come in.

TeflonTed
27/09/2017 14:03
No, you're quite correct. If a penalty is awarded and a subsequent kick direct to touch is taken, then the play remains live and the lineout will take place, even if the match clock has gone red.

If the team benefiting from the penalty wish to end to the match they can take a quick tap, which takes the penalty, and then kick the ball dead. Game over!

worcestawarrior
27/09/2017 21:19
Where is the ruling that you can't play the ball to deliberately make it dead by having a foot in touch

TeflonTed
27/09/2017 22:39
Quote:
worcestawarrior
Where is the ruling that you can't play the ball to deliberately make it dead by having a foot in touch

Don't know, but it'll be in [laws.worldrugby.org] somewhere!

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