There has been much discussion about the lineout at the end of the recent Wales versus Ireland Six Nations game. However, all the commentary that I’ve seen is missing the real problem with that lineout.
It would not have mattered if the ‘correct’ ball was used. The try should have been disallowed and the lineout taken again (Wales throw in).
In order for a quick throw-in to be taken, there are a number of requirements, apart from those relating to the ‘identity’ of the ball that is used.
In the case of the Wales versus Ireland game, even if the ball had been the ‘correct’ one, the quick throw should not have been allowed because of the point on the touchline at which it was taken.
One of the other requirements for a quick throw in is that it occurs at a point on the touchline between where the ball crossed the touchline and the throwing team’s goal line. Because Ireland, outside its 22, kicked the ball directly into touch, there was no gain in ground.
So the point where the ball crossed the touchline was about 20 metres closer to Wales’ goal line than the location of the lineout.
So if Wales was going to attempt a quick throw-in, at the very least, it would have had to do it where the ball crossed the touch line (i.e. much closer to its own goal line) and not at the point where the ‘regular’ line out would be taken.
As an aside, another of the requirements for a quick throw-in is that a lineout has not properly formed. Although this isn’t relevant in the case (as the incorrect location trumps everything else), it does provide a hint as to the question Jonathan Kaplan should have asked the Assistant Referee.
Not if it was the correct ball, but whether a lineout formed before the ball was thrown in.
A lineout is formed if there are two players from each side in the line (the thrower/’hooker’ and receiver/’half back’ don’t count). If you look at the video, there is only one Welshman – the try scorer – in the lineout when the ball is thrown in. There are other Welshman nearby, but not in the lineout.
So it wouldn’t have mattered if the correct ball was used.
You can’t have a quick throw-in on that spot of the field. So it’s a ‘regular’ lineout and you can’t throw the ball into a ‘regular’ lineout until it is formed. So Kaplan should have called Wales back had it throw the ball in again.
Another scenario where this can happen is at a kick off/restart when the ball goes into touch on the full. The receiving team has three options: Firstly, another kick off/restart. Secondly, scrum at the centre of the halfway line.
Or thirdly, take the line out.
The receiving team may be tempted to take advantage of any lapse in attention of the kicking team and attempt ‘quick’ lineout at the halfway line. However, if it does, it has to wait for the lineout to form properly (see above).
Law 19.2 sets out the requirements for a quick throw-in.
The laws of rugby are complicated. The Welsh quick throw-in was illegal, but for a different reason than that cited in the commentary.
Freehenry
Guest
This issue is whether the lineout had formed before the ball was thrown in. In order for a lineout to form, you need 2 players in the line from each team. In this case, while there were plenty of Irishmen, there was only 1 Welshman in the lineout, so it wasn't properly formed when the ball was thrown in. The other Welsh players were milling about in the vicinity but hadn't actually joined the lineout (which is also illegal). As such, the throw should have been disallowed and Wales made to throw in again, when the lineout is properly formed. Quick throw-in is irrelevant in this particular case.
Doug
Guest
The majority of the Welsh forward pack were more than 15 metres in from touch so werent taking part in the line out but were not back the required 10 metres from the lineout. Which means it wasnt a legal line out - unless the ref says it was.
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
The line-out throw was taken at the point indicated by the linesman (Deputy Dawg). The Irish line had formed. So I contend that it was not a quick line-out at all, and perfectly legal, as it was straight and exceeded five metres
Freehenry
Guest
Gents, I was emailing someone on the website and mentioned my point about the lineout. My correspondent asked me to put it up as a article, so I did. My point was that if there is debate of a law decision by a referee, I think it's worthwhile that, at least, that discussion be on point as to law. However, as has been pointed out the ref makes a decision and you just have to move on.
Intotouch
Guest
Great. Now there are four reasons why the try should not have been allowed. And this changes...oh right. Absolutely nothing.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Perfection is only possible in some video games. An important feature of Rugby is accepting the Ref's decision right or wrong without complaint. For mine the most vociferous about the calls I can get is a "what!" and a shake of the head. For the Referees themselves: Too many poor decisions and demotion follows, embarrassing incident and the wilderness beckons. Many try and only a few rise to the top. Ours is a complex game and the benefit of that for a young growing mind is developing the ability to hold all of that detail whilst under pressure. Let it go mate, it is not that important.
Jerry
Guest
I do like this kind of discussion as I'm a bit of a nerd about the laws of rugby and always welcome learning more. I actually didn't know that a quick line-out couldn't be taken ahead of where it went out in such situations. Without wanting to excuse Kaplan, it's quite easy to miss something really obvious when you're concentrating on a separate point - you can get so tied up in knots that you miss something completely obvious. And of course there was the very poor communication between Kaplan and the Asst Ref who indicated he saw it as a regular line-out taken promptly, rather than a quick line-out. But realistically this has been done to death in the week following the match and your point has been noted already on the Roar.