Rule changes : Wed Feb 03, 2016 11:43 pm  

There is an explanation of the rulechanges on the rhinos website. 8 point try is one of them. If anyone can understand para C and explain how it does not contradict Para B I would welcome the explanation!

(b) The phrase "touching down for a try" refers to such a period which commences when, in the sole discretion of the referee or video referee, it is evident that a try is going to be scored by the player who is fouled and which ends when the referee awards the try or calls time off to refer the decision to the video referee or to consult with other colleagues.

(c) For the avoidance of doubt a foul which is committed (i) on any other attacking player other than the player who is "in the act of scoring a try"; (ii) at any time other than when that player is "touching down for a try" or (iii) where a try is not scored as a result of the foul play or otherwise, shall not result in a further penalty being awarded by the referee as described above, but this shall not preclude the referee taking any other action against the offending player as the referee shall in his sole discretion determine.

As an example: A player who has a clear run to the line is tackled around the head by an opposition player so para Ciii applies. It is reasonable to assume that the player was "in the act of toching down" assuming the discretion of the ref agrees with me as stated in para b.

Is a penalty try awarded, or just a penalty, or a penalty try + a penalty?

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 1:18 am  

An 8 point try can only be given if the try is actually scored. If it's not scored then a penalty try should be given.

For instance, using your example of an attacker being tackled round the head...

Say the attacker is tackled around the head whilst he is touching down for a try (if anyone remembers the Gareth Raynor hit on Tomkins a few years back, that's a good example) and the attacker still manages to get the ball down to score the try. In that case an 8 point try should be given, because he scored a try but was fouled whilst scoring. So the attacking team gets the 4 points for the try, an attempt at a conversion plus then a penalty for the foul.

If however, the attacker drops the ball whilst touching down due to the high tackle then obviously he hasn't scored a try. In this case a penalty try should be given. 4 points and an attempted conversion in front of the posts.

So re Para C:
Point (i) is referring to other players, so off the ball incidents.
(ii) is referring to the need for an 8 point try to be given only for foul play upon a player who is touching down for a try, ie not for a foul 20 yards out from the tryline, it's to protect players diving over for a try from cheap shots.

(iii) is referring to when the foul play (or anything else) causes a try not to be scored. An 8 point try can ONLY be given after a try has been scored. It isnt really an 8 point try, it just allows a try already scored to become worth 8 points instead of 6.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 2:08 pm  

Probably a clearer example is a player trying to kick or knee the ball out of an opponent's hands to prevent them from grounding it.

If the attacking player has grounded the ball but then gets caught by a deliberate knee or boot, the referee awards a try where the ball is grounded and then a subsequent penalty under the posts after the conversion.

If the attacking player is prevented from grounding the ball by the foul play, the referee awards a penalty try but can't then go back and give another penalty after the conversion because the "try" has not been scored.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 3:15 pm  

Tap restart after a successful 40/20 instead of a scrum. We can enjoy the spectacle of Silverwood being left in the slipstream as players dash upfield for a quick restart - only to make them re-take it because he wasn't ready.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 3:31 pm  

Clearwing wrote:

Tap restart after a successful 40/20 instead of a scrum. We can enjoy the spectacle of Silverwood being left in the slipstream as players dash upfield for a quick restart - only to make them re-take it because he wasn't ready.

Don't see any point at all to that rule change tbh.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 3:56 pm  

craigizzard wrote:

Don't see any point at all to that rule change tbh.

Nope, me neither. I'd have thought the last thing most sides paggered out by a defensive stint would wish for is a hasty restart.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:28 pm  

Clearwing wrote:

Nope, me neither. I'd have thought the last thing most sides paggered out by a defensive stint would wish for is a hasty restart.

Isn't that the point? Attacking side has defenders on the ropes, kicks a 40-20, gets a relatively quick restart with them still catching their breath

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:51 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

Isn't that the point? Attacking side has defenders on the ropes, kicks a 40-20, gets a relatively quick restart with them still catching their breath

That over-rewards the 40-20 in my opinion. It's one of those cases where the system already works well and offers a good enough reward, so why tinker with it?

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:48 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

Isn't that the point? Attacking side has defenders on the ropes, kicks a 40-20, gets a relatively quick restart with them still catching their breath

Depends on the circs. Often as not, a 40/20 is a desperate attempt to get upfield by a team that's been under the cosh in defence and is struggling for metres.

Re: Rule changes : Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:56 pm  

Yep don't like the tap following a 40-20. Unnecessary change. I think it's just a trial in reserve games though isn't it? Along with a couple of other changes to the scrum.