[2016 Super Rugby] Blues vs. Crusaders (Round 14) 28/05/2016

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Eden Park
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[austingtir]

LOL Johnny got smashed by Charlie. Off the field pretty much straight after. Even Caleb ralph was a better wing than that guy.

- - - Updated - - -

Tony Johnstone talks some utter rubbish sometimes. Saying that Havili is an excellent defender after Moala steamrolled him and Faddes owned him the other week.....

 

[Bluemoon]

Surely the crusader player had to release the carrier on the floor following that kick chase.

 

[TooEasyCampese]

Gosh the Blues can be frustrating.

Second week in a row where silly mistakes have cost them.

 

[nickdnz]

Some shocking refereeing. Kaino looked very frustrated by it at times.

 

[nzlizard]

Some shocking refereeing. Kaino looked very frustrated by it at times.

Yeah I watched only parts of the game, but some of the refs calls seemed odd.

 

[Bazzy]

Yeah the refereeing wasn't great... but it was good game yesterday.

I am starting to get a bit more hopeful with this blues side. There is a heck of a lot of talent in there.

 

[smartcooky]

Surely the crusader player had to release the carrier on the floor following that kick chase.

No, because it is not a tackle, its a situation governed by Law 14:. Ball on the Ground, No Tackle.

[TEXTAREA]DEFINITIONS
This situation occurs when the ball is available on the ground and a player goes to ground to gather the ball, except immediately after a scrum or a ruck.
It also occurs when a player is on the ground in possession of the ball and has not been tackled.
The Game is to be played by players who are on their feet. A player must not make the ball unplayable by falling down. Unplayable means that the ball is not immediately available to either team so that play may continue.
A player who makes the ball unplayable, or who obstructs the opposing team by falling down, is negating the purpose and Spirit of the Game and must be penalised.
A player who is not tackled, but who goes to ground while holding the ball, or a player who goes to ground and gathers the ball, must act immediately.

14.1 PLAYERS ON THE GROUND
(a) A player with the ball must immediately do one of three things:
• Get up with the ball
• Pass the ball
• Release the ball.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(b) A player who passes or releases the ball must also get up or move away from it at once.
Sanction: Penalty kick

(c) A player without the ball must not lie on, over, or near the ball to prevent opponents getting possession of it.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(d) A player on the ground must not tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent.
Sanction: Penalty kick

14.2 PLAYERS ON THEIR FEET
(a) Falling over the player on the ground with the ball. A player must not intentionally fall on or over a player with the ball who is lying on the ground.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(b) Falling over players lying on the ground near the ball. A player must not intentionally fall on or over players lying on the ground with the ball between them or near them.
Sanction: Penalty kick[/TEXTAREA]

So, the man on his feet is king! So long as Fonotia remains on his heet he is allowed to latch onto the ball, and the player on the ground must release.

The thing is, because there is no tackle, there is also no Gate, so players can join the melee from any direction. The Blues defenders didn't realise this, so they went around and through what they thought was the Gate when they didn't need to, and that cost them a few valuable tens of a second; the difference IMO between winning the ball and giving away a penalty.

This is one of those situations where players would benefit from knowing the Laws!!