New Tackle Interpretation from the iRB
Please Click on Link below to watch video that will help you understand the tackle law.
http://www.rfu.com/TakingPart/Referee/LatestLawUpdates/Tackle_no_release.aspx
This season sees the iRB again making a number of their “Directives”, which are really just areas of existing Law which they would like to be enforced more strictly by referees worldwide.
There are many of these this year, including watching for obstruction at kick offs and in mauls, and players staying on their feet at the ruck: all standard stuff which any regular referee or rugby fan knows are pretty obvious anyway.
But it is a subtle interpretation of the tackle area which promises to cause some confusion and controversy this season – and you need to know what it is all about. It came in just before the Six Nations but is still not yet widely known…
Rugby’s Laws have always required the tackler to “release” the tackled player immediately following a tackle. This is to enable the tackled player to carry out his rights: namely to release, pass or place the ball immediately.
However, in recent years, especially since professionalism, we have seen defenders become experts at stealing opposition ball within milliseconds of a tackle. Sometimes, the tackler has not released the tackled player fully first, and this is what the iRB want to reinforce.
It’s all in an attempt to sway the balance in favour of the attacking side again, rather than the defence. It is intended to help stop the game from grinding to a halt whenever a tackle is made and a ruck formed – which has happened a lot since the ELVs were introduced fully.
What are refs looking for then? Well, once you have brought a ball-carrier to the ground, you must let go of them completely, before going back in to have a go at stealing or “jackling” for the ball. If you do not, and especially if you remain in contact with the tackled player and ball as you go down, then you will be pinged for “Not Releasing the Ball Carrier” and the ref with signal accordingly.
Also, be careful if you bring a ball-carrier to ground without going to the deck yourself – even if you do bring him to ground, you must still release (even if only momentarily) before going back in with your hands for a steal.
Above there is a very good video which illustrates the new interpretation (note, it is not a “new Law” – it is just existing Law more rigorously enforced).
In the first clip, Ireland openside David Wallace is correctly pinged for not releasing the ball-carrier at all – much to his and the Irish crowd’s anger! In the Bryan Habana clip, he is unfairly and incorrectly pinged for the same thing. Seeing the head-on replay, he clearly releases the ball-carrier, then goes for the steal – perfect and legal technique. The commentators are correct in saying he was in the right!
All refs at all levels should be aware of this iRB Directive by now, ready for the start of the new season. Kirt – you have been warned!
For the full list of iRB Directives (with video clips explaining them, click here:)
http://www.rfu.com/TakingPart/Referee/LatestLawUpdates.aspx
