It's prudent to listen.

The Wallabies drive and are held. The referee calls that it is a maul. That maul then collapses.

In the midst of that pile of bodies is Ryan Kankowski.

The referees says: "Release it, Green."
The referee says: "Release it, Green"
The referee says: "Release it."

Kankowski does not release it but plays it back.

The referee penalises Kankowski who looks surprised. The referee then says to him: "You're off your feet."

The commentator  says that Kankowski was on his feet. His feet are on the ground. Is that enough?

Law 15.6 (a) Players are on their feet if no other part of their body is supported by the ground or players on the ground.

Kankowski is certainly in contact with players on the ground as he leans far forward to get the ball. He may well be supported by players on the ground and therefore is no longer deemed to be a player on his feet.

Law 14 DEFINITIONS
The Game is to be played by players who are on their feet.

The referee believed that Kankowski was not on his feet. For that reason he was not allowed to keep on playing the ball - maul or no maul, ruck or no ruck. He kept on playing the ball and seemed to believe that he was right to do so.

People speak of adapting to the referee. This is a case in point. The referee made himself clear. He said it three times. Top continue proclaiming your right of way is not prudent.

The referee could have been a bit more explicit by saying Green 8.

The law could also be a bit more explicit.