For many years now I have watched a strange thing happen at rugby matches. Whenever a ball is kicked out near a line (halfway, 22 etc), the touch judge (assistant referee), invariably sets the lineout right on the line, with the two teams lined up either side.
I have sat at many games where the crowd have rightfully berated the official for ripping their team off when the lineout gets set further back than it should (they are quiet when it goes the other way).
I have also shared my theory with many fellow rugby watchers, and asked them to keep an eye on this phenomenon, and lo and behold, they all find the same thing.
A ball will be kicked out crossing the plane of the line anywhere from 1-5 metres from a line, but the lineout gets set right on the line.
Why is this so?
The officials may have been instructed to do this, but I have had no confirmation.
Another observation; this practise is worse the higher up you go, so it’s really prevalent in test matches, but not so much in club rugby.
So, next time you are at a game (it’s harder to judge on the box), watch where the ball crosses the chalk, and I bet that if it’s anywhere near a line, you’ll know where the lineout will be set!
Hoy
Roar Guru
Is that odd? On the line is out in Rugby right? So if the lineout is on the line, it should be called outside the 22. Just my thought. I have a better problem (is that possible?) with the lineout than this and it is one of interpretation that I would change. Here we go: If the opposition don't jump for the ball, I wouldn't care that the ball wasn't thrown in straight. How about that? It would stop a scrum, because ultimately, what is the difference? If the ball was straight, they didn't jump anyway. If the ball was crooked over their side... they didn't compete anyway. If they compete at the lineout and it isn't straight, I am more than happy for a scrum. It just annoys me when a team doesn't even get their jumper off the ground and it is pulled up. Don't compete, don't deserve the ball from a lineout, crooked or not.
formeropenside
Guest
Yeah, well lets just say that the referees are not great on the whole straight throw thing also.
Matt
Guest
Yer right, Matt, the TJ/ARs have been instructed to mark the spot for a lineout on a marked line if they're close to it. It makes for easy management of the metre gap as as pointed out. One instance where a TJ/AR SHOULDN'T mark a lineout on the nearest line is when a ball is kicked out a fraction outside the 22m line. If the lineout is moved to the 22m line the defending team can kick the ball out on the full and gain ground. An astute TJ/AR should mention to the ref the lineout is NOT in/on the 22 and move the mark half a metre away from the 22m line. Conversley, if the ball goes out within a metre inside the 22m line the TJ/AR should move the mark to the line. All this is from Levels 1 and 2 touch judge courses.
arbitro storico
Guest
Matt - Those of us who referee know that the three most important things in managing the lineout are gap, gap and gap. If there's a line right down the middle between the two forward packs, there's no excuse for them not to be half a metre either side if that line. It's simple enough even for the second rowers to understand. If you get and keep the gap, the ball will almost always emerge cleanly. Practical refereeing 101 - well spotted.
Matt
Guest
Surely the assistant refs (at the top level) are paid professionals. Why can't they accurately judge where the ball went out and set it accurately? Remember, it's the ref who set the mark which the two teams go off, if a team closes the gap it should still be obvious as they have not moved (other than backwards to let hooker in).
titus
Guest
Yes I think you are right. I too have noticed that they "round" to the nearest marked line if it is close to it. However I wouldn't call it a great conspiracy (although I acknowledge the headline-grabbing phrase). Frankly I don't really care if it is wthin 2m either way. I just think it helps both the players and officials do the right thing. By that I mean throwing the ball in straight and making crooked throw-ins easier to see.
soapit
Guest
yeah its so subjective where it goes out. i'd be pretty satisfied if they got within 5m each time. and to answer your question it helps them keep the thro in straight, helps in setting the lineout with a team equidistant either side of the line and makes it obvious which team is closing the gap so they try and use the line when one is availble. maybe we need faint lines at 5m intervals perpendicular to the sideline to 15m in. bit of an eyesore tho.
Jerry
Guest
Who cares? Unless the lineout is close to either tryline, a metre here or there makes no difference. I'd rather have a straight lineout in slightly the wrong place.
Brett McKay
Guest
very hard to argue with this Matt, I reckon you're bang on...
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Jeez I actually disagree with this Matt. Many is the time I've watched the touchie walk to within a metre of a line and stop and I've thought to myself 'you're so close to the line - why not just set it on the line - what's the difference'.