Craig Joubert is managing enough sleep in the early stages of fatherhood to be able to answer readers' questions.
 
1. Name: Stephen Hart 

Question: On the subject of Schalk Burger's offence in the Lions second test (believe me there is a question not a gripe!) it seemed to me that Christophe and Bryce once again had a communication problem. As a consequence BL (and not CB) seems to be taking a lot of flak in the Northern Hemisphere media. To my mind he (BL) was following communication protocols reporting clearly (green 6; contact with the eyes) for CB to make a judgement. But CB didn't grasp the significant words in his yellow/red decision, which was compounded by BL's subtle suggestion that the offence ought to be upgraded from yellow to red ("at the very least yellow"). What instructions do you give your ARs in reporting foul play and in the exchanges about the most suitable punishment?

Thanks 

PS the site is a great resource. 

Craig Joubert: Hi Stephen,

Generally the assistant referee will report the foul play and the referee will lead the conversation as to what sanction should be applied. In the event that the referee has not seen the incident or doesn't get a clear understanding of the incident from the AR report, he may ask for a recommendation.

Cheers, Craig

2. Name: Johan van Huyssteen 

Question: From what type of kicks is a player allowed to mark the ball? 

Craig Joubert: Any kick save for a kick off.

Cheers, Craig

3. Name: Avron Bane 

Question: I played 1st division rugby 42 years ago. One paramount rule of the game was that you did not tackle or obstruct an opposition player if he did not have possession of the ball. I am not aware of any changes in the laws that might have occurred in this regard. Please explain to me how clearing out of rucks can be allowed to be part of the game? that I can find in the laws that permit this to occur.

Many thanks

Avron Bane, Cape Town 

Craig Joubert: The letter of the law has been applied according to a ruling whereby law 16.2 (b) has been deemed to imply that players may "clean out" an opponent by "binding onto the ruck with at least one arm round the body of another player of either team." This is why the referees have been issued with strict instructions to ensure that "clean outs" occur with a 1m radius of the ball (within the boundaries of the ruck) and that players do not charge in using only their shoulder - this ensures the safety of this aspect of the game.

Cheers, Craig

4. Name: Bryan Combrinck     

Question: Please, explain to me how what Bakkies did, which seemed in fact legal, was twice as bad as what Nathan Hines did at Newlands, which was illegal? It was the same judicial officer.

Craig Joubert: As I responded to similar questions yesterday, 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