New laws for Bloem test

SA Rugby referees manager André Watson has advised South African supporters to be aware of strict new instructions that have been issued to referees by the International Rugby Board and will be in use for Saturday's Test between South Africa and Wales in Bloemfontein.

"The IRB has issued an instruction to all match officials to rigorously apply the law at the breakdown – the tackle and ruck," said Watson.

"There will be zero tolerance for handling ball in the ruck; zero tolerance for handling the ball at the tackle or ruck when a player is off his feet a! nd there will be zero tolerance of 'sealing off' the ball at the ruck."

'Sealing off' is the practice of supporting players going off their feet and bridging over the ball to prevent a defending side being able to legally contest possession.

"This is very common by the team carrying the ball and is illegal," said Watson. "But it has historically been tolerated by the referee when the attacking side infringed.

"The new emphasis is to referee both teams equally and not have to have a higher level of tolerance for the ball-carrying team."

Watson stressed that these were not changes in Law but rather the strict application of existing law to ensure a fair contest for the ball. He says it could result in the ball-carrying team being penalised more frequently for:

• Not entering the breakdown through the gate.
• Having 'p! illars' (players in front of the last feet at the ruck and mau! l) inter fering and/or blocking defenders attempting to reach the ball or ball carriers.
• Playing the ball by means of hands in the ruck.
• Lying on the ground and handling the ball.
• Sealing the ball off (although there will be occasions when players fall on the ground after driving/cleaning out that does not prevent the opposition contesting the ball).
• Crooked feeding at the scrum.

"If this leads to frustration I trust that everyone will understand that referees are merely applying the law as they have been instructed," said Watson.

"It may mean that there will be more whistling initially but we're confident that if the coaches and players comply, the game will improve in terms of continuity, better quality ball and fewer stoppages."