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After watching the highlights of the England versus Australia match it appears the poor refereeing of the maul has hit an all-time low.
In one section of play late in the game we can watch ball carrier Ben Morgan detach three times from the maul and continue to have teammates join in front of him.
We are told that the IRB at season’s end pick areas to focus on, so this is surely the time with a World Cup due to commence shortly.
Frankly, if one sees this continue it looks more like a tactic suited to NFL rather than the game they play in heaven.
For the last IRB focus points for referees document, obstruction at the commencement of the maul was quoted.
What do the laws say?
17.0 The Maul
A maul begins when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier’s teammates bind on the ball carrier. A maul therefore consists, when it begins, of at least three players, all on their feet; the ball carrier and one player from each team.
All the players involved must be caught in or bound to the maul and must be on their feet and moving towards a goal-line. Open play has ended.
Yes, that’s right all players should be bound. Not detaching and re-binding at the back. That is obstruction.
17.4 Offside at the maul
(a) The offside line. There are two offside lines parallel to the goal-lines, one for each team. Each offside line runs through the hindmost foot of the hindmost player in the maul. If the hindmost foot of the hindmost player is on or behind the goal-line, the offside line for the defending team is the goal-line.
(b) A player must either join a maul, or retire behind the offside line immediately. If a player loiters at the side of a maul, the player is offside.
Loitering is frequent also as players continue to hang in front of the ball carrier unattached and providing blockage for the player detaching from the maul.
Sanction: Penalty kick on the offending team’s offside line
(c) Players joining the maul. Players joining a maul must do so from behind the foot of the hindmost teammate in the maul. The player may join alongside this player. If the player joins the maul from the opponents’ side, or in front of the hindmost teammate, the player is offside. Sanction: Penalty kick on the offending team’s offside line.
Perhaps a Scott Allen-style article could grab some footage from the Autumn Tests to expose how frequent the players joining the maul do so in front of the ball carrier (forgive me for the technical shortcomings).
This seems to be a flow-on effect from the detached ball carrier migrating backward through the mall. Sort that and perhaps the other issue goes away also.
The fact I feel the need to write this article is of most concern. We have a professional board of lawmakers that appears to sit back and wait for aspects of our game become a shambles before they actually decide to make a concerted effort to police it effectively again.
How long did it take for action on illegal taking out of catchers before the landing of high balls? Some could argue that taking out of defenders who are not part of the ruck is still a major problem (and attacking weapon) despite the supposed closer scrutiny it has come under.
If you want to be called World Rugby and command respect as our international body, then one must act swiftly to ensure appropriate refereeing of the aspects of our game that make it so unique.
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.