Fresh from a World Cup qualifier in Windhoek, Craig Joubert takes over as the Duty Ref, answering readers' questions.

1. Name: Keith Moore

Question: Mr Ref,

The IRB recently made a ruling with regards to the end of a game. One of the issues was a line-out where, if the ball was thrown in skew, the ref would call time on the game. Surely this opens the door to cynical play? For instance where Team A is leading by less than 7, the hooker wants the game to end and purposefully throws it skew (to his scrumhalf) so that the other team has no chance to compete, thereby forcing the ref to call time? Or is it up to the players to play the game fairly and the ref just blows what is in the book? I have a feeling you are going to tell me I just answered my own question!

My second question relates to the 22. Refs allow for players to take kicks/quick taps within reasonable distance of the mark of a penalty or free kick. What would happen if the fullback of Team A catches the ball on the edge of his 22, and calls a mark, takes a few steps back to run up for his kick. He takes a few steps forward and kicks the ball directly into touch. In doing so, his planting foot is completely passed the 22m line, but within a reasonable distance of the mark. Would the line-out be where the balls went into touch, as this was a kick from a mark, or in line with where he kicked it, as he kicked it form outside the 22?

Thanks once again to all of you for taking the time to answer our questions.

Craig Joubert: Hi Keith,

Question i - the law book says one can't deliberately infringe (knock on, throw the ball into touch, etc) and that a penalty should be given if a player does so. This would extend to deliberately throwing the ball in skew to a lineout to bring the end of a match. As you know the game doesn't end on a penalty; so the opposition would have the chance to win the game through the resultant penalty.

Question ii - players are allowed to take quick taps on or behind the mark. According to law a scrum should be awarded against a player who takes the ball in front of the mark, but certainly the kicker can't gain ground with the kick taken outside his 22m.

Good to hear from you, say howzit to Neil and the rest of the boys up North!

Cheers, Craig

2. Name: John Davies

Question: I have just watched the 2nd test and my finger nails are bitten to the elbow!!A great spectacle for rugby. 

As a referee I wonder whether Bryce Lawrence "bottled It" with his report to the referee re Schalk Burger's fingers in the eyes. I feel he did not communicate clearly enough \with the referee. It was a real pressure situation and language barrier withstanding, didn't the phrase "it's at least a yellow " show a lack of clarity of thought?

I also thought it a very harsh penalty at the end.

Thoroughly enjoy accessing the site, great forum.

Kind regards, John Davies  

Craig Joubert: Hi, John

Of course, it’s much easier to judge with the benefit of many replays and without any pressure. I think the assistant referee did really well to notice/pick out the infringement and report it to the referee who is ultimately in control of the match.

Any penalty at that stage of the game had harsh repercussions.

Glad you like the site.

Regards - Craig

3. Name: Tony Duminy 

Question: In an endeavour to ensure the right calls were made in a recent fixture between our two top club sides, we used two way radios so I could hear my assistant referees After a charge down by team B on the half way line I missed a knock-on by team B as the player collected the ball, he then ran through to score. My assistant referee attempted to make the call via radio but it did not come through. I awarded the try. Thereafter he came across to inform me of the knock-on. Although Team A protested, I said the try stood as it was not "Law 10" infringement.

Was that correct? Where does one draw the line between the correct decision and protocol? At the end of the day rugby must be the winner.

Craig Joubert: Hi Tony,

You were correct in ensuring that the try stood, as you say it wasn't a law 10 (Foul play) infringement.

Cheers, Craig

4. Name: Brett Redelinghuys

Question: Two questions please. 

a. When throwing in the ball into a line-out is it necessary to use two hands? Have read the rules and cannot find this rule.

b. If the citing commissioner misses a few things, who checks up on him? E.g. Lions vs SA 2nd test, Sheridan's punch to Bekker's nuts and O'Driscoll's suicidal tackle/barge / headbutt on Rossouw. Thanks

Craig Joubert: Hi, Brett,

a. No - remember Uli Schmidt used to have the one handed throw perfected. It just seems that modern hookers prefer the two-handed throw-in.

b. We aren't involved in the citing process. I'm not sure of the processes and can't comment I'm afraid.

Cheers, Craig

5. Name: Derek Summers

Question: I have three questions all of which involve advantage, and all of which came into play during a Sevens tournament I refereed over the weekend.

a. Time has expired in a match and Team A is winning and has possession. Team A is trying to kick the ball dead but upon receiving the ball a player for Team A knocks-on and Team B is given advantage.  Before Team B can play the ball the player from Team A who knocked the ball on kicks the ball from the ground into touch. Does the game end or is the player from Team A liable to a penalty?

b. When a team has a "scrum advantage" can that advantage be erased if they or the other team commit a more serious infringement that would result in a "penalty advantage?"

c. Team A has a "scrum advantage" as time has expired in the match and they also have possession, a player from Team A advances a few metres up field and intentionally throws the ball into touch to end the game. Advantage may or may not have been over but regardless this is a penalty. Does the penalty take place?

Cheers, Craig
 
Craig Joubert: Hi, Derek.

a. If the player from team A is in front of his team mate who last played the ball then he is offside and liable to penalty.
 
b. Yes, a penalisable offense over rides scrum advantage.

c. Yes, a game cannot end until a free kick or penalty has been played. In your example the opposition would have the opportunity to play the penalty and try and win the game.

Cheers, Craig

6. Name: Freddie Meyer

Question: How do the citing laws work. I have no doubt that Schalk's actions were unacceptable. However, throughout the game other players, especially Brian O'Driscoll and Andy Sheridan (both players I hugely respected) made themselves guilty of foul play and thuggery that doesn't befit them nor the B&I Lions ethos. Why did they not get cited. Refer also Sheridan punching Bekker "below the belt".

Craig Joubert: Hi Freddie,

As I mentioned earlier in a similar question, we are merely the on field referees who apply the laws of the game for 80 mins. The citing process is not an area that we are involved in. I'm unable to comment on their processes and decisions.

Cheers, Craig