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AMENDMENTS TO 2019 REFEREE POLICY

The following additions / amendments to 2019 referee policy have been introduced with immediate effect:

Placing the ball on the defender lying on the ground – It is the responsibility of the player playing the ball to place the ball on the ground at their feet. If necessary the player should step backwards to ensure this can be done. OUTCOME – If the ball is placed on the tackler, this will be ruled a knock-on.

Moving off the mark / stepping over to deliberately place the defender in the ruck - It is the responsibility of the player playing the ball to place the ball on the ground at their feet, and not to advance off the mark - if necessary the player should step backwards. OUTCOME – The player in possession will be penalised for moving off the mark if deliberately stepping over a defender to place them in the ruck.

Playing the ball into a defender in the ruck – The player playing the ball should maintain balance and control when heeling the ball to the acting half-back.OUTCOME - In this situation the player in the ruck will be penalised if hit by the ball - or if in the opinion of the referee the half-back is prevented from picking the ball up. EXCEPTION – A penalty will be awarded against the player playing the ball if the ball is forcibly heeled back with the intention of contacting the defending player with the ball.

Passing into an opposing player – Any ball passed into an opposing player in and around the ruck, in any direction, will be deemed to be acting against the spirit of the game. OUTCOME - The passer will be immediately penalised.

Steve Ganson, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials, explained: “A number of high-profile incidents during and before the Easter weekend have shown certain teams or players acting contrary to the spirit of the game, in a manner that has infuriated fellow professionals, broadcasters and, crucially, supporters.

“After internal consultation, we have therefore decided to make these changes to referee policy with immediate effect, applying throughout the game. This is an unusual step, but not unprecedented – and we hope it will be welcomed by coaches, players and supporters.

“There is a meeting of head coaches next week, followed by the regular meeting of the RFL Laws Committee, at which these matters will be discussed, along with the situation regarding obstruction which has also been provoking a lot of discussion.”

Super League reaction:

Super League has been increasingly concerned by the increasing number of players taking advantage of the strict application of the laws around players lying in the ruck at the play-the-ball and has been working with the RFL to find a solution.

Super League is keen to stop players using the rules to gain an unfair advantage and supports referees who penalise obvious gamesmanship. It also welcomes allowing Match Officials to apply a less strict, judgement-based interpretation of the rules based on the Official’s observations at each ruck.

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/54 ... ree-policy

It's a welcome start ….

Maybe add a couple more clauses.

Tackled player not to scurry along the ground or barge forward against marker after tackle complete and before playing the ball. 'Cheap' / 'Cheat' metres gained

Tackled player not to move sideways before playing the ball rendering the marker 'not standing square'. Referees almost always give a penalty against the marker if he then makes a tackle.

Blxxdy hell some common sense at last. was the most ridiculous thing in the game it was laughable watching catalan cas game yesterday.

Well done Steve Ganson.

Paradox wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2019 8:40 pm It's a welcome start ….

Maybe add a couple more clauses.

Tackled player not to scurry along the ground or barge forward against marker after tackle complete and before playing the ball. 'Cheap' / 'Cheat' metres gained

Tackled player not to move sideways before playing the ball rendering the marker 'not standing square'. Referees almost always give a penalty against the marker if he then makes a tackle.

Good points.

WHy do they have to write it like this

Passing into an opposing player – Any ball passed into an opposing player in and around the ruck, in any direction, will be deemed to be acting against the spirit of the game. OUTCOME - The passer will be immediately penalised.

So now we'll have retreating defenders running through passing lanes at the ruck and any unintenational pass hitting them will be a penalty to the defence. Why not say any ball deliberately passed, and allow the refs to make sensible judgements rather than artificially imposing certainty on an uncertain situation.

I'd also like to see fewer penalties for "hands in" at the ruck when the ball is played fine. And if a players hand is trapped in or they are being held in the tackle, just play on, they've slowed their own play the ball down, that's penalty enough.

Given the sheer stupidity of the rules so far this season at least its a step in the right direction lets hope that it makes the game a better spectacle

Next make players play the ball properly........ it will improve and clean up our game 100%........your supposed to stand up before you play the ball....... most big forwards ,especially masilla and fifita ,regular roll it between there legs whilst on there knees

Mike wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:38 pm WHy do they have to write it like this

Passing into an opposing player – Any ball passed into an opposing player in and around the ruck, in any direction, will be deemed to be acting against the spirit of the game. OUTCOME - The passer will be immediately penalised.

So now we'll have retreating defenders running through passing lanes at the ruck and any unintenational pass hitting them will be a penalty to the defence. Why not say any ball deliberately passed, and allow the refs to make sensible judgements rather than artificially imposing certainty on an uncertain situation.

Couldn't agree more, but unfortunately the trend now is to have black-and-white rules and not allow refs discretion to whistle or not as they see fit. All in the name of "consistency" which fans always demand. A case of, be careful what you ask for! The same kind of thinking gives us tries where just a fingernail has brushed the ball.

I think our officials and their bosses need to watch a bit of NRL and see how they do it.

They seemed to be struggling last season in the same way we are, but then this season all has changed. Now there are hardly any penalties around the ruck and because of this the ball carrier just gets up and plays it without panicking.

On Sunday the Salford hooker raised his hands at every play the ball, and because of this the crowd were going mad demanding a penalty.

Our game is about unlocking the defence with great skills or speed, not conning the referee into giving a penalty then diving between the posts when the opposition is still on the floor.