Big breaking news re changes in the rugby laws ….

The maul

These are to be coached, played and refereed with immediate affect according to the IRB’s instructions. It will implemented in all SA Competitions from the weekend of 28/29th of August.

1.    When a maul is formed originally, the ball carrier must be in contact with the ball and in front of the maul formation. In other words, at this time the opposition must be able to contest the possession at the formation.
2.    The player at the back of the maul , must be bound – AS PER LAW, FROM HAND TO SHOULDER – at all times. Should he detach or not be bound as per above, then the players in front of the ball carrier is obstructing the opponents
3.    When the maul stops GOING FORWARD in the first instance, the referee is to call “restart or use it”. When it stops going forward in the second instance, the referee is to call “use it or loose it”. The maul may not move backwards or side ways!

Uncontested scrums

The IRB has sanctioned new measures that will empower National Unions to address the issue of uncontested scrums within their respective domestic competitions.

The move was initiated by Council following requests by several member unions to address the issue as there has been an increase in uncontested scrums within some high profile domestic and cross-border competitions in recent years.

An alteration to Law 3 governing the number of replacements permitted in a match came into effect on July 28, 2009 and applies to the game globally.

The alteration allows National Unions with jurisdiction over matches in their territory the option of allowing up to eight named replacements in a match day squad.

This will also operate for cross-border club or provincial competitions with the agreement of the respective Unions involved.

If a Union allows the naming of 23 players in a match day squad for any domestic competition, there must be a minimum of three specialist front row players within the named eight comprising two props and a hooker.

Once all front row replacements have been utilised, and there is a further front row injury, and no fit front row player is available from the original starting team or replacement bench, the injured player will leave the field but may not be replaced.

This is a change to the existing Laws and ensures that a team going to uncontested scrums does not gain an advantage.