New Zealand Rugby has provided the rugby world with a great example of the benefits of the correct applications of the rugby laws at the breakdown but, it has only just begun.
Among other things, they could take a look at the application of the advantage law, and especially the time referees take in deciding when advantage is over.
When is advantage complete in rugby?
New Zealand Rugby has provided the rugby world with a great example of the benefits of the correct applications of the rugby laws at the breakdown but, it has only just begun.
Among other things, they could take a look at the application of the advantage law, and especially the time referees take in deciding when advantage is over.
When is advantage complete in rugby?
Given the evidence, referees have for too long been wandering down a blind path in their control of games and, it is apparent the advantage law also needs some attention.
Through no fault of his own, Brendon Pickerill provided a classic example of the misuse of the advantage law in Saturday's Hurricanes-Crusaders game in Wellington.
He allowed play to continue in advantage for too long and then returned to the original infringement, much further back down the field.
It happens time and again.
What is an advantage?
It is a concept aimed an ensuring the game keeps flowing after a mistake made by one side, but not at the expense of the team benefiting from that mistake.
How long should an application of advantage continue?
For what it's worth here is the opinion of a long-time advocate of the application of the advantage law.
There is a simple application which, if used by referees, would go a long way towards minimising the occasions when play carries on for long periods before returning to the place of the advantage ruling.
It involves what is named 'the advantage line'. Some call it the gain line. It is the notional line that runs through the middle of contestable areas, whether at mauls, rucks, scrums or lineouts.
Once a team receives an advantage, it should have the opportunity to take play over that advantage line.
Having achieved that, the advantage should be complete.
Mistakes occurring beyond that point are the fault of the team receiving the advantage whether through accident or a slip in skills.
A penalty advantage is a slightly different matter. If there is no immediate crossing of the advantage line then, by all means, award the penalty.
But don't let it drag on forever.
Advantage should be about being good enough to take the opportunity provided by an opponent's mistake.
It should not be about giving the team receiving the advantage a second chance if they are not good enough to make use of it.
Breaching the advantage line should be the method of measuring whether advantage has been secured.
If it is good enough to pay attention to the breakdown by stepping back from the path trod over the last few years, it is also good enough to look at the advantage situation.
Refereeing officialdom has hi-jacked the game. It is time to reduce heir influence for the betterment of the game.
New Zealand Rugby has provided the rugby world with a great example of the benefits of the correct applications of the rugby laws at the breakdown but, it has only just begun.
Among other things, they could take a look at the application of the advantage law, and especially the time referees take in deciding when advantage is over.
When is advantage complete in rugby?
Given the evidence, referees have for too long been wandering down a blind path in their control of games and, it is apparent the advantage law also needs some attention.
Through no fault of his own, Brendon Pickerill provided a classic example of the misuse of the advantage law in Saturday's Hurricanes-Crusaders game in Wellington.
He allowed play to continue in advantage for too long and then returned to the original infringement, much further back down the field.
It happens time and again.
What is an advantage?
It is a concept aimed an ensuring the game keeps flowing after a mistake made by one side, but not at the expense of the team benefiting from that mistake.
How long should an application of advantage continue?
For what it's worth here is the opinion of a long-time advocate of the application of the advantage law.
There is a simple application which, if used by referees, would go a long way towards minimising the occasions when play carries on for long periods before returning to the place of the advantage ruling.
It involves what is named 'the advantage line'. Some call it the gain line. It is the notional line that runs through the middle of contestable areas, whether at mauls, rucks, scrums or lineouts.
Once a team receives an advantage, it should have the opportunity to take play over that advantage line.
Having achieved that, the advantage should be complete.
Mistakes occurring beyond that point are the fault of the team receiving the advantage whether through accident or a slip in skills.
A penalty advantage is a slightly different matter. If there is no immediate crossing of the advantage line then, by all means, award the penalty.
But don't let it drag on forever.
Advantage should be about being good enough to take the opportunity provided by an opponent's mistake.
It should not be about giving the team receiving the advantage a second chance if they are not good enough to make use of it.
Breaching the advantage line should be the method of measuring whether advantage has been secured.
If it is good enough to pay attention to the breakdown by stepping back from the path trod over the last few years, it is also good enough to look at the advantage situation.
Refereeing officialdom has hi-jacked the game. It is time to reduce heir influence for the betterment of the game.
Given the evidence, referees have for too long been wandering down a blind path in their control of games and, it is apparent the advantage law also needs some attention.
Through no fault of his own, Brendon Pickerill provided a classic example of the misuse of the advantage law in Saturday's Hurricanes-Crusaders game in Wellington.
He allowed play to continue in advantage for too long and then returned to the original infringement, much further back down the field.
It happens time and again.
What is an advantage?
It is a concept aimed an ensuring the game keeps flowing after a mistake made by one side, but not at the expense of the team benefiting from that mistake.
How long should an application of advantage continue?
For what it's worth here is the opinion of a long-time advocate of the application of the advantage law.
There is a simple application which, if used by referees, would go a long way towards minimising the occasions when play carries on for long periods before returning to the place of the advantage ruling.
It involves what is named 'the advantage line'. Some call it the gain line. It is the notional line that runs through the middle of contestable areas, whether at mauls, rucks, scrums or lineouts.
Once a team receives an advantage, it should have the opportunity to take play over that advantage line.
Having achieved that, the advantage should be complete.
Mistakes occurring beyond that point are the fault of the team receiving the advantage whether through accident or a slip in skills.
A penalty advantage is a slightly different matter. If there is no immediate crossing of the advantage line then, by all means, award the penalty.
But don't let it drag on forever.
Advantage should be about being good enough to take the opportunity provided by an opponent's mistake.
It should not be about giving the team receiving the advantage a second chance if they are not good enough to make use of it.
Breaching the advantage line should be the method of measuring whether advantage has been secured.
If it is good enough to pay attention to the breakdown by stepping back from the path trod over the last few years, it is also good enough to look at the advantage situation.
Refereeing officialdom has hi-jacked the game. It is time to reduce heir influence for the betterment of the game.