Rewards and Penalties

If a team plays within the Laws, then they will be rewarded. If they play outside the Laws, then they are likely to be punished.

The Rewarded Team

Being able to gain territory, retain possession and eventually score points are rewards a team that is able to penetrate through an opponent’s defence may gain.

Even though they may not have the throw-in, a team’s scrum may be able to push their opponents off the ball and regain possession. For this ‘superior’ skill, regaining possession of the ball is the reward.

The Penalised Team

The players of a team in defence who do not comply to the Laws of the Game when their opponents have begun to play with the ball from scrum, lineout, ruck or maul and whose actions reduce their opponent’s options will be penalised by the referee.