Understanding the outrageous penalty count in the Aotearoa opener
The crowd poured in, the match happened and the exciting result was a wonderful bonus.
There was a strange air of past normality about it at this time of unreality to the extent that writing about the law application of the match seems such a niggardly thing to do in view of the glorious gift of rugby that five million New Zealanders have given the world.
Five million people and no new COVID-19 cases for 22 days – and so rugby with spectators in Dunedin. Five tries and a lead that changed twice in the last three minutes. Those are the stats that count.
Then there are other stats – 30 penalties and two yellow cards and six scrums in the match – and lots and lots of passes.
The many penalties and the few scrums are worth noting.
The two yellow cards, both against Highlanders, were for dangerous tackles a tip tackle by fullback Vilimoni Koroi and an air tackle by wing Jona Nareki, both of which could be regarded as standard in the rugby of recent times.
The mauls and the few scrums were admirably correct and produced no penalties. But tackle infringements and offside produced 28 penalties. The penalties, though numerous, did not seem to have an adverse effect on the players’ efforts to play constructive rugby.
The referees had been told beforehand to police the tackle and it surrounds with greater diligence than has been recent practice – not going outside the laws but simply by applying the laws.
The result for the game was that tackles were quick because they were, until just before the end, contested by players on their feet.
In fact, there was little post-tackle contest. The players taking part were few in number and on their feet. The ball was quickly back in circulation, and both sides did a great deal of handling.
Because tackles were of short duration and barely contested, there were no unplayables in the match, which led to fewer scrums.
There were just two scrums in the first half, both for knock-ons – the first after 25 minutes, the second after 33 minutes.
There were four in the second half – the first two for knock-ons, the second two when the Chiefs opted for scrums after a penalty in their search for winning tries. The scrums were admirable and not one was reset.
At the tackles, the players’ determination to stay on their feet was admirable, though one wondered whether this way of playing was not robbing the game of its basic principle of a contest for and with possession which diminished it as a game for all shapes and sizes. After all, a tackler is a victory for defence. If it becomes a done deal that the tackled player’s team will get the ball it denies the tackler’s team value for its victory.
In this match, the referee was quick to penalise “holding on” to deny an early opponent the chance to get possession of the ball, as Josh Dickson found out inside the first three minutes.
Rugby is back, but it's gotten off to a rucky start… https://t.co/oKPN9bxBhW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 13, 2020
He was strict on side entry, by either team. When Aaron Smith of the Highlanders, Josh Dickson of the Highlanders went straight to his aid and was penalised for side entry
He was also quick to penalise arriving players at a tackle who went off their feet in an effort to protect and/or clean out – as Chiefs No.8, Pita Gus Sowakula, found out twice.
The referee was also quick to penalise the tackled player who did not immediately make the ball available. If he kept hold of the ball and moved again with it, rolling over or lifting it up, he was penalised.
These last four actions by the referee are applications of the law, not new interpretations, and it again emphases the need for match officials to give the laws a fair chance to prove their worth!
The laws:
Law 14 PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES
5. Tacklers must:
a. Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground.
b. Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.
c. Be on their feet before attempting to play the ball.
d. Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball.
e. Allow the tackled player to move away from the ball.
Sanction: Penalty.
6. Tacklers may play the ball from the direction of their own goal line provided they have complied with the above responsibilities and a ruck has not formed.
7. Tackled players must immediately:
a. make the ball available so that play can continue by releasing, passing or pushing the ball in any direction except forward. They may place the ball in any direction.
b. Move away from the ball or get up.
c. Ensure that they do not lie on, over or near the ball to prevent opposition players from gaining possession of it.
Sanction: Penalty.
8. Other players must:
a. Remain on their feet and release the ball and the ball-carrier immediately.
b. Remain on their feet when they play the ball.
c. Arrive at the tackle from the direction of their own goal line before playing the ball.
d. Not play the ball or attempt to tackle an opponent while on the ground near the tackle.
Sanction: Penalty.
– Paul Dobson / Rugby365
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments