Busy with the Lions' tour, Mark Lawrence still has time to answer readers' questions.

1. Name: Angus MacMillan

Question: Hi Marius,

A Few years back Joe van Niekerk was so elated that he scored a try that he slammed the ball into an opposing player lying on the ground. He was penalised for this (he may even received a yellow for his troubles). Could this have resulted in the Try been disallowed? It wasn't on this occasion, but would the ref be right if he decide to disallow the try?

Thanks again, Angus 

Mark Lawrence: Hi Angus,

In the scenario you sketched in your question, the referee cannot disallow the try. The try has been scored and play has stopped. The ball is dead. The referee may penalize the player under law 10.4 (m) and award a penalty for the restart (as well as a yellow card if he deems so).

Law 10.4 (m) Misconduct while the ball is out of play. A player, must not, while the ball is out of play, commit any misconduct, or obstruct or in any way interfere with an opponent.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
The penalty is the same as for sections 10.4 (a)-(k) except that the penalty kick is awarded at the place where play would restart. If that place is on the touchline or within 15 metres of
it, the mark for the penalty kick is on the 15-metre line, in line with that place.

Regards, Mark

2. Name: John Fourie 

Question: The ruling discussed in the previous Duty Ref applies:  Player A from Blue is tackled.  Player B from Red has his hands on the ball and player C from Blue binds on B.  Ruck has formed.  B does not need to release the ball because of the ruling, but everybody else, joining after the ruck has formed, may not touch the ball.  Am I right so far?

Now, after the ruck has formed, B picks the ball off the deck. 

i.  Do we now have a maul?

ii.  Does the rules that no other players may touch the ball still apply.

Mark Lawrence: Hi John,

You are quite right in your statement in your question regarding the new ruling on law 15 and law 16. To repeat, a player arriving at a tackle on his feet and through the gates who gets his hands on the ball does not have to release if a ruck forms. A ruck would occur the moment an opponent made contact with the arriving fetcher. Assuming the fetcher now has possession of the ball or the ball is lifted off the ground and is held by the fetcher .. there is no Maul until a team mate of the fetcher joins by binding onto the fetcher. This is the minimum requirement for a maul. Once the maul is formed all players on their feet and onside may attempt to win the ball by using their hands.

Trust this is clear and thanks for the well thought out question

Regards, Mark

3.  Name: Chris Assmus 

Question: What is your pre-match ritual (physical and mental). I believe you are one of the most consistent referees at the top of the game. As a 20-year-old referee starting to move up the ranks, I struggle with consistency in my performance. Do you achieve your consistent level of performance through a constant ritual, or does it vary depending on the fixture you are assigned.

CA

Mark Lawrence: Hello Chris,

Many thanks for the compliment. I think in general all the referees at the top level are pretty good but consistency within a game and consistency from game to game is the most challenging aspect in refereeing. It takes years of experience and judging from your young age of 20, this is what you need. You need to referee many matches and get as much feedback form your coach/assessor to help you.

When I started refereeing I got a friend to video every match I refereed. I couldn't believe some of the things I did because when I was on the field I saw everything except me. When I watched the video I saw everything as well as ME and then you will get a different perspective of your performance. That is my advice to you. Get someone to video a few games and then watch them. The improvement in performance and consistency will be meteoric because you will see Yourself IN  the game….all in perspective!!

All the best in your refereeing career .. it has become a young mans game now, so get as much match practice as you can

Regards, Mark

4. Name: Bunny Bolton

Question: Thanks for being patient. In fact thanks to all the panel of referees who take time off to answer our questions. I have many and the knowledge I have gained and the interest this feature has generated have greatly enhanced the pleasure of my watching the game.

My question comes from the match in which the Lions thrashed the Lions and it is a little thing but one I have seen happening more than once.

A Xerox Lion drives for the line. He is brought down at the line. The ball ends up on the line. The referee asks the TMO question 2: "Is there any reason why I cannot award the try?" The TMO says to him that there is a reason. The Xerox Lion had been brought down short of the line and he had held on. He was to be penalised.

The referee - a splendid referee in my book - then penalised the Xerox Lion but penalised him five metres from the other Lions' line. Should the penalty not have been where the Xerox Lion infringed, i.e. two centimetres from the line instead of five metres?

Mark Lawrence: Hello Bunny,

A big thanks to you for the interest you show and questions you ask. I know I speak on behalf of all the referees when I say thanks for the positive feedback you have mentioned .. it makes the time we spend on our website all worth while.

You are correct in your statement that a penalty kick against the defending team in the field of play is at the place of infringement but if it is in-goal, it would be given 5m from the goal line. However, for the attacking player, an infringement within 5m from the goal line will always be taken back 5m fro the goal line.

Well spotted. The referee should have given the penalty kick to the defenders at the place of infringement .. 2cm from the goal line

Keep well and regards, Mark