Ref Watch: 50:22 and the goal-line drop out explained
With the Northern Hemisphere season now well underway the novelty of 50:22 and the goal-line drop out is already wearing off and at first glance both seem straightforward enough.
Plenty has already been written about the possible impact both will have on tactics – and whether their primary objective of creating space and delivering attacking variety will be achieved.
History tells us that when World Rugby changes law the devil usually lies in the detail. RugbyPass sent Ref Watch columnist Paul Smith to his local referees’ society to find out more about how the law variations will work in practice.
50:22
“The referees’ first impression of 50:22 is that it won’t happen often,” he said.
“But there were a few talking points some of which will inevitably prompt social media debate among fans as they crop up during the first few weeks of the season.
“The key point to remember is that the phase ending with the kick to touch MUST start in the kicking side’s own half.
I really like the 50/22 and with both Burns and Madigan at Ulster, along with the footballing Cooney, they're going to make good use of it. pic.twitter.com/sjzS416Y0V
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) September 20, 2021
“Passing it back across halfway from a scrum or lineout for an immediate kick is therefore not a 50:22 option. When this happens, which it inevitably will, the throw-in stays with the receiving team.
“It is also important to understand that a new phase starts after each breakdown, which can be a tackle, ruck or maul.
“A 50:22 can be gained directly from a free kick – this one could catch a few refs out.
“A scrum awarded on halfway, perhaps following a kick-off going directly into touch, is another one to be careful with. This is a 50:22 eligible situation unless the scrum is driven forwards before the ball is released.”
Goal-Line Drop Out
“Wasps boss Lee Blackett described the goal-line drop out as a ‘game changer’ and there are plenty of things for rugby watchers to look out for – and possible pitfalls for officials feeling their way into a new season.
“For a ref, the first question to ask is ‘who put the ball in goal?’ If the defending team carried it over nothing has changed and a five-metre attacking scrum follows.
“But if it is touched down by defenders or becomes unplayable after the attacking side has kicked, carried or knocked it forwards into the in-goal area, play now restarts with a goal-line drop out.
“This means we only have a 22 after the attacking side kicks it dead or following a touch down of a missed drop goal or penalty attempt.”
Is the goal-line drop out taken from under the posts?
No, it can be taken from anywhere across the goal-line.
Where must other players stand?
The receiving players have to retreat to the five-metre line, which doesn’t give the kicker much room especially on a muddy pitch.
The kicker’s teammates must be behind the ball.
The kicker may opt to take the ball deeper into in goal – but in this scenario his teammates must also retreat so they remain behind him when he kicks.
How quickly can it be taken?
Like a 22-metre drop out there is no need to wait for the referee’s whistle or for opponents to realign but the kick does have to go five metres so we are very unlikely to see the quick ‘tap it to myself’ option.
Referees have been advised not to penalise players in front of a quickly-taken goal-line drop out unless they interfere with play and therefore gain an unfair advantage.
What if…
• It doesn’t cross the five-metre line?
The receiving team has the option of playing the ball as it lies, feeding a five-metre centre-field scrum or the kick being retaken.
• It goes into touch without bouncing?
The receiving team has the option of a five-metre centre-field scrum, the kick being retaken, throwing into a lineout on the five-metre line or taking a quick throw in.
• On a windy day it is kicked dead at the other end of the pitch?
The receiving team has the option of a five-metre centre-field scrum or the kick being retaken.
• The kick crosses the five-metre line before blowing back?
Play on
• Receiving players prevent it travelling five metres?
If they cross the five-metre line before the ball is kicked a free kick is awarded
• The kick bounces before the five-metre line then crosses it?
Play on
• The kick bounces into touch beyond the five-metre line?
Play restarts with a lineout
The new date is very close to the Six Nations 🇫🇷https://t.co/CyIJhOwdcK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 20, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments