Marius Jonker has been having an easier time lately and has been using it to answer the many readers' questions which come rolling in.
 
1. Name: Jens du Plessis
 
Question: I've seen this a number of times and I'm confused.
 
An attacking player knocks the ball on just before the opponents try-line. The ball spills into the in goal area and a defender falls on the ball resulting in a dead ball. A 5m scrum is given to defending side.
 
Shouldn't it be a 22m drop out as that is to the defenders advantage?

Marius Jonker: Hi Jens.

The first offence was the knock-on hence the reason for the scrum.

Law 22. 7 (b) If an attacking player knocks-on or throws-forward in the field of play and the ball goes into the opponents’ in-goal and it is made dead there, a scrum is awarded where the knock on or throw forward happened.

Your idea used to be law but it was changed many years ago.

Regards, Marius.
 
2. Name: Mike Jones
 
Question: Hi Marius,
 
Please can you explain all the fuss around the breakdown. The law has not changed, except maybe some interpretation. The only other thing I can think of is the free kick vs penalty issue.
 
Your thoughts on this issue and what you believe, if anything, could be done to improve this area of the game.
 
Cheers, Mike

Marius Jonker: Hi Mike.

The breakdown has always and will always be one of the most hotly debated issues in and amongst supporters, players and rugby administrators. This is also the most furiously contested area in the game.

Nothing has changed over the years really and the directive for tacklers/tacked players and arriving players has always been present and still is. Interpretations from referee to referee might differ from time to time but all the referees referee out of the same law book.

I have my own views on the penalty vs free kicks issue and I know I am supported and opposed by several people in the business and will not discuss it through this medium.

I am not sure whether the 'fuss' around the breakdown is warranted and what's going to be done to change this, if needed. We as referees are merely servants to this great game and will referee according to what is subscribed in the law book.

Regards, Marius.
 
3. Name: Hennie
E-mail: hgriessel@vodamail. co. za
 
Question: Hi, I would like to know when it is a free kick, can the scrumhalf take the tap pass it to the fly half who can go for a drop goal? As far as I know you may have a drop goal at any time of the game while play is on. Thanks Regards

Marius Jonker: Hi Hennie.

No, he cannot.

From a free kick a team cannot score a drop goal until the ball next becomes dead, or until an opponent has played or touched it, or has tackled the ball carrier. This applies also to a scrum taken in the place of a free kick being awarded.

Cheers, Marius.
 
4. Name: Bjorn Viljoen
 
Question: Hi
 
Ek wil net weet wanneer 'n speler van Span A 'n speler van Span B met die palm slaan in die gesig met die intensie om seer te maak en nie een van die twee het die bal nie. Dit is uit en uit deel van reël tien. My vraag is reël 10. 4(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).

As mens 'n kaart sou gee kan ek Reël 10.4 (k) gebruik : Acts contrary to good sportsmanship.

Want as ek na 'n verhoor van 'n speler sou gaan sal reël 10.4 (a) uitgegooi word oor 'n tegniese punt, 'n vuis is nie 'n hand palm nie en daar word ook nie genoem in die reël van enige vuilspel met die hand palm nie.

Kan jul asb vir my net 'n beter verduideliking gee en wat die regte beslissing sal wees?
 
Groete

Marius Jonker: Hallo Bjorn.

Jy het die antwoord klaar gegee.

Indien enige van die bogenoemde reëls, of enige ander onder reël 10, oortree word kan die speler(s) gestraf word met 'n strafskop en waarskuwing of 'n geelkaart/rooikaart gegee word indien dit vereis word.

Groete, Marius.

NB Bjorn Viljoen asks under what law does a referee sanction a player who uses the palm of his hand to attack a player when Law 10 speaks of fist. Marius says that he answers the question himself by referring to Law 10.4 (k).
 
5. Name: John Davies
 
Question: Question/observation!
 
Is it my imagination but watching a lot of televised games both northern and southern hemisphere are we seeing far more scrums which are reset, penalised or the game goes on because the ball is available but players are not on their feet? What percentage of scrums end successfully with 16 players on their feet and correctly bound?

Marius Jonker: Hi John.

I have no idea of the percentage of successful scrums but agree with you that scrum resets are pretty evident in most games and when this happens you often hear spectators, players and commentators saying that the referee has to manage and sort out the scrums. Therein lies a bit of truth and wisdom but quite frankly I have yet to see a referee collapse a scrum, scrum on the angle or fail to stay bound at scrum time. The players have a huge responsibility to play their part and sadly they often fail to come to the party.

Our website carries statistics from Test matches and Super 14 matches of scrums, resets, collapses, penalties and free kicks.

Regards, Marius.
 
6. Name: Monde Skeyi
 
Question: Good day, Marius.

On the maul, the defending player came from the side and head bounce and the referee red-carded the player. The decision was correct or what should the referee's decision?

Marius Jonker: Hi Monde.

I take it you are referring to a player striking another player with the head.

That is a red card, my friend.

Regards, Marius.
 
7. Name: Ronlyn Cummings
 
Question: Are the consequences for the touch judges who made a wrong call in the Cheetahs Brumbies. Will there be consequences for the ref who made a wrong with the ball in the Sharks game on 4 April 2009? I think it was Marius Jonker. Just to refresh your memory, he allowed a quick throw in with the wrong ball that led to a try being scored. I ask these questions because these are our "top" refs and they are making basic errors. Why do I talk about consequences, if your memory does dot fail you, two touch judges were suspended about two seasons ago for making a wrong call.

Hoping to hear from you.

Marius Jonker: Hi Ronlyn.

I have discussed the management of referee performances and the processes followed two weeks ago; so please feel free to look it up.

Do you really believe that all mistakes should be punished?  We all make mistakes, as you have done in what you have written, but it is avoiding them that is important.

Kind Regards, Marius.