Law Amended On Player’s Behalf

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The International Rugby Board Council approved Law 10.4(j), Law 10.4(f) and Law 5.2 today to ensure the fact that the welfare of players always comes first. These laws are supposed to be governing the spear tackle and hand-off will operate across the Game and provide greater clarity on the definition of each action and in turn delivering a stronger disciplinary position.

The amended Law 10.4(j) will now read:

Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.

The amended Law will operate globally from December 1, 2010.

The amended Law 10.4(f) will now read:

Playing an opponent without the ball. Except in a scrum, ruck or maul, a player who is not in possession of the ball must not hold, push or obstruct an opponent not carrying the ball.

The amended Law will operate globally from December 1, 2010.

The amendment to Law 5.2 will now read:

After half-time teams change ends. There is an interval of not more than 15 minutes. The length of the interval is decided by the match organizer, the Union or the recognized body which has jurisdiction over the game. During the interval the teams, the referee and the assistant referees may leave the playing enclosure.

The revised Law will operate from January 1, 2011.

The other laws which were amended in similar concerns are as follows,

Amend Law 21.4 (f) to read:

Kick taken in the in-goal. If a player retires into in-goal to take a penalty or free kick awarded in the field of play and a defending player by foul play prevents an opponent from scoring a try a penalty try is awarded.

Amend Law 21.4 (g) to read:

If a player retires into in-goal to take a penalty or free kick awarded in the field of play and following the kick the ball goes into touch-in-goal, or on or over the dead ball line, or a defending player makes the ball dead before it has crossed the
goal line, a 5 metre scrum is awarded. The attacking team throws in the ball.

Amend Law 21.8 (g) to read:

If a free kick has been awarded and the player retires to in-goal to take it and the opponents charge and prevent the kick from being taken, a 5-metre scrum is ordered. The attacking team throw in the ball. If a free kick is taken in the in-goal,
an opponent who legitimately plays it there can score a try.

Amend Law 18.2 (Mark) to read:

The kick is awarded at the place of the mark. If the mark is made in the in-goal the kick is awarded five metres from the goal line in line with where the mark was made.