I was fascinated about a particular interpretation by the referee, Steve Walsh, in the Bulls Vs Hurricanes match at about the 71st minute. The Bulls lineout took the ball about 15 metres from the attacking try line and immediately moved the ball to the back of the perfectly formed rolling “maul”.
The Hurricanes did not contest the throw and retreated, leaving the Bulls pack rolling forward across the gain line uncontested in what seemed to me to be an illegal formation (rather than a maul which needs contest), with bound forwards protecting the ball at the back of the formation.
When the referee did nothing, the Hurricanes then attached/contested the formation to form a maul (from about 15 metres out you can’t leave the Bulls pack alone for too long) and were subsequently penalised for bringing the maul down and the Hurricanes number 6 was told to spend 10 minutes in the bin for his actions.
The Hurricane protest was ignored.
Yes, your honour, we did collapse the maul, but prior to the event, what was that juggernaut thing all about?
So is this part of the new laws that I have missed?
The concept of the Bulls free forming eight man juggernauts at random with the ball protected at the back is scary for all non-Bulls supporters. Or were the Hurricanes just misplaced in their logic that an uncontested formation with the ball behind a very large pack of forwards was something that is contrary to the laws and spirit of the game?
I believe the Hurricanes were hard done by and that this practice needs to be eliminated immediately. At least with an illegal flying wedge, the opposition gets a crack at the ball carrier before cooling their heels in the bin.
Surely there must be some review system that can be immediately actioned, maybe like the doomed video replay American Football-style, so that such crimes can be punished on the spot rather than behind the locked doors in secret.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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