In-goal

The primary duties of the Assistant Referee are also applicable in the in-goal area. The Referee may allocate additional duties for the Assistant Referee. e.g:

• Advising Referee on whether the ball has been grounded or held up
• Indicating touch-in-goal or dead-ball as necessary
• Advising on restarts, e.g. 22m, goal line drop-outs and 5m scrum.

In all of the above, it is important for the Assistant Referee to be positioned appropriately in the in-goal area. The principles of leading and trailing should be used so that the Assistant Referee and Referee see different angles of play. The Assistant Referee should consider the likely position of the Referee and try to anticipate from where they can make the best decision.

In open play, it is expected that the Referee would be in line with the ball as it approaches the goal-line, so the Assistant Referee could get into a position in the in-goal area to observe from a different angle.

Alternatively, at a maul which goes into in-goal the Referee may already be in in-goal, so the Assistant Referee may wish to take an alternative position to observe from a different angle.

The Referee should look to the Assistant Referee for a visual confirmation before awarding a try or another decision. They may wish to stop play, and discuss with the Assistant Referee before making a final decision.