Clarification 3-2003
Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
| Clarification | 3-2003 |
|---|---|
| Union / HP Ref Manager | SRU |
| Law Reference | 15,17 |
| Date | 2003-06-07 |
Request
SRU has requested a ruling with regard to Law 15-Tackle & Law 17 Maul:
Team A win the ball in a line-out. The ball carrier is joined by several of his team mates and they move off the line of touch towards their opponents' goal-line. One player of team B on his own grasps the ball -carrier and brings him to ground.
(1) Is the maul formed under Law 17 as soon as the player from Team B grasps the player from Team A and he then collapses the maul?
(2) Is the player from Team B tackling the ball-carrier under Law 15 and play should therefore continue?
Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee
(1) By definition, given the abovementioned scenario, a maul has formed. Therefore given this scenario, if the player from Team B collapses the maul, then he is liable to penalty.
(2) By definition, given the abovementioned scenario, a tackle has not occurred.