IRB law changes to the ruck and scrum.

Dunno if this has already been covered on here but....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18619505

Summary:
IRB LAW CHANGES
Law 16 : Ruck

16.7 Unsuccessful end to a ruck.

Five seconds to play the ball from the back of the ruck.

Add new 16.7(c):

When the ball has been clearly won by a team at a ruck and the ball is available to be played the referee will call "Use it!" after which the ball must be played within five seconds. If the ball is not played within the five seconds the referee will award a scrum and the team not in possession of the ball at the ruck is awarded the throw in.

Law 20 : Scrum

20.1 Forming a scrum.

Changed scrum engagement sequence.

20.1 (g):

The referee will call "crouch" then "touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside arm; each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "set" when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then engage. The "set" call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready.

It has

On the ruck, I'd prefer if the ref just said after 5 seconds, 'the ball is out' and that keeps the game moving. Restarting at a scrum slows down the game even more, doesn't it.

It is good to see them thinking about it though.

On the scrum, looking at it, nothing has changed except the words. And the ref can keep the pause in play by leaving a gap between 'touch' and 'set'. All packs will naturally engage on 'set' by the looks of that.

Maybe if 'touch' was replaced with 'bind'? So then each prop would have to get their bind sorted. They would also have to set up closer together which should reduce scrums collapsing. If the ref checks the binds before saying 'set' then that should uncover if someone is slipping bind or positioning themselves illegally in the first pace? Would it?

thebandwagonsociety wrote:On the ruck, I'd prefer if the ref just said after 5 seconds, 'the ball is out' and that keeps the game moving. Restarting at a scrum slows down the game even more, doesn't it.

It is good to see them thinking about it though.

On the scrum, looking at it, nothing has changed except the words. And the ref can keep the pause in play by leaving a gap between 'touch' and 'set'. All packs will naturally engage on 'set' by the looks of that.

Maybe if 'touch' was replaced with 'bind'? So then each prop would have to get their bind sorted. They would also have to set up closer together which should reduce scrums collapsing. If the ref checks the binds before saying 'set' then that should uncover if someone is slipping bind or positioning themselves illegally in the first pace? Would it?

Agreed. I can't see that this sequence will make any difference to the number of collapsed scrums. It's the 'hit' that is the problem and this change will not affect that one bit. The ref actually saying 'pause' was a nonsense anyway so that has been removed while what difference will changing 'engage' for 'set' make??

Other changes to directly influence keeping the game going:

Law 12 : Knock-on or Throw forward
12.1 The outcome of a knock-on or throw forward
Quick throw-in after knock-on or throw forward

Add new 12.1(e)
Knock-on or throw forward into to touch. When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on or throw forward, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line or a scrum at the place of the knock-on or throw forward. The non-offending team may exercise the former option by taking a quick throw-in.

Law 9 : Method of Scoring
9.B.1 Taking a conversion kick
Conversions to be completed within 90 seconds of try

Amended Law

9.B.1 Taking a conversion kick

(e)

The kicker must take the kick within one minute and thirty seconds (ninety seconds) from the time a try has been scored. The player must complete the kick within one minute and thirty seconds even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.

Law 21 : Penalty and Free Kicks
21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements
Lineout alternative

Add new 21.4(b)
(b)
Lineout alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw-in. This is in addition to the scrum option.

Law 16 - well that's Mike Phillips ed then!

I don't like it one bit though. Slowing the game down is a valid tactic. Not one I heartily approve of but valid nonetheless.

The scrum rule is great, the pauses had become so pregnant I sometimes thought my tv had frozen.

The 5 seconds thing is going to be a nightmare; it seems an entirely arbitrary period and i bet Alain Rolland's 5 seconds will be a damned sight different to Steve Walsh's. it also directly involves the ref in the way the game is played which with what we know about the inconsistencies in interpretation of the laws is
misguided.

Also interminably annoying commentators of the Barnes and Moore and Butler variety will be counting to 5 all the time.

Scrum yes, ruck no.