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The RFU have announced some new playing rules for the coming season. Dave Ball, our coach, talked about these at the recent AGM. Below is Dave's summary:-
THE LAYMANS GUIDE TO EXPERIMENTAL LAW VARIATIONS FOR NEXT SEASON ( ELV`s)
Flags at Corners and corner of touch in goal
Current : Ball carrier touches either flag – Counts as being in touch
New : Contact with either flag is no longer counted as touch UNLESS the ball carrier or the ball are actually in touch. The try can be awarded.
Lineout and Throw
Current : Ball must be thrown in straight
New : A quick throw may be thrown in straight OR back towards the throwing team's own goal line.
Current : The team throwing in determines the number of players in the lineout
New : No restriction on the number of players in the lineout on either side
Current : When a defending player passes back into his own 22 and the ball is cleared to touch the lineout is where the ball crossed the line.
New : When a defending player passes or takes the ball back into his own 22
(a) If the ball is then kicked directly into touch the lineout is taken in line WITH WHERE THE BALL WAS KICKED. But
(b) If a tackle or ruck or maul is then formed inside the 22 and the ball is then kicked directly into touch the lineout is where the ball crossed the line.
Current : The player waiting to receive the ball from the lineout must stand between 5 and 15 metres from the lineout
New : The receiver at the lineout must stand 2 metres back from the line
Current : Players may pre-grip a team mate provided that they do not pre-grip below the shorts from behind and below the thighs from in front
New : Pre-gripping, lifting and using a team mate to lever is allowed
Current : The player standing in the area between the touch line and the 5 metre line may join the lineout as soon as the ball is thrown
New : This can continue BUT the player MUST be initially 2 metres away from the lineout.
The Maul
Current : The Maul cannot be deliberately pulled down
New : Players may defend a maul by pulling an opponent down from his shoulder to hips
Scrum
Current : Offside line for defending backs is back foot of scrum
New : Offside line is 5 metres behind the rearmost foot of the scrum
If you want to look at them in detail, you can click on the link below then - once the web page comes up - click on 'manual'.
Luckily the RFU have not been taken in by all the ELVs (Experimental Law Variations) that were being employed in the recent Super 14 competition in the Southern Hemisphere which turned the matches into poor versions of Rugby League. The rule changes are being pushed through by the Aussies in particular - just because they cannot put together a decent scrum!
Reactions to the rule changes.
In response to the email that was originally sent out concerning the new rule changes, we were contacted by Steve Camm. As most of you know Steve moved from the Island some time ago and is now holed up in Guersey trying to avoid the taxman as well as angry husbands and pub owners who were stupid enough to give him credit.
Steve played for Ventnor when Pontius was still a pilot and had very little knowledge of the laws of rugby even then - as many a ref' can attest. However he is convinced that the following list formed the rules back then and - with his permission - we copy his email verbatim. He writes,
Thanks for the information about the new rules. I have checked them out and am still none the wiser. As far as I remember the top ten rules were:
1. If it's cold, keep it in the pack
2. If it's warm, give it to the backs
3. If all around you are on their haunches knackered after 5 minutes, kick it as far into touch as you can
4. If the line out callers are using fruit and vegetable codes, you should avoid Aubergines and Avocados
5. If playing off the Island, try not to have more than 4 pints on the boat over
6. If doing the kit, try not to wash it with red stuff and please try to dry it as a 25lb wet, pink shirt doesn't help flowing rugby
7. If you are on tour, try to avoid Bob Freer 8. If Adam Pratt and Mark Rogers say it's time for a few more beers and a Pastis, it's time to go home
9. If James Morton's shoulder pops out, lever it back in with the ball and watch the opposition visibly go weak-kneed at the sound
10. If Tony Flower is holding the whip, keep a keen eye on proceedings as a triple gin and tonic is dearer than a pint
I think that just about covers it!
All the best, Steve