A tackle or someone jumping over a ruck? Jumping over a pile of bodies on the floor isn't considered a problem, but hurdling a tackler where the ball carriers boots end up near the head of the tackler is generally frowned upon. But, yes, a lot is in interpretation.
Melbourne: I seem to remember one from Super rugby last season, near the try line.
A lot of what happens in reffing these days is not in law but in interpretation of it.
Interesting. I went back and had another look. Law 9 Foul Play [formerly Law 10] specifically calls out the tackler for tackling a player with their feet off the ground but I can't find a mention to the ball carrier 'hurdling'. I have seen discussion of the topic on referee forums and I suspect I'd find something on this in the game management guidelines. Most discussion appears that it is covered under Law on Foul Play simply because it endangers the tackler. Law 9.11 "Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others."
There seems to be some latitude too because the assumption is the tackler has to be in a position to make a tackle i.e. standing in front of the ball carrier.
Melburnian
Roar Pro
A tackle or someone jumping over a ruck? Jumping over a pile of bodies on the floor isn't considered a problem, but hurdling a tackler where the ball carriers boots end up near the head of the tackler is generally frowned upon. But, yes, a lot is in interpretation.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Melbourne: I seem to remember one from Super rugby last season, near the try line. A lot of what happens in reffing these days is not in law but in interpretation of it.
Melburnian
Roar Pro
Interesting. I went back and had another look. Law 9 Foul Play [formerly Law 10] specifically calls out the tackler for tackling a player with their feet off the ground but I can't find a mention to the ball carrier 'hurdling'. I have seen discussion of the topic on referee forums and I suspect I'd find something on this in the game management guidelines. Most discussion appears that it is covered under Law on Foul Play simply because it endangers the tackler. Law 9.11 "Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others." There seems to be some latitude too because the assumption is the tackler has to be in a position to make a tackle i.e. standing in front of the ball carrier.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Don't know if the law has changed but when I was reffing 10 years ago that was legal.
Melburnian
Roar Pro
Hmmm ... except you are not allowed to do that. No try. :shocked: :laughing: