Stu Berry answers readers' questions at this time when referees are again much in the spotlight.

1. Name: Sandy Nesbitt 

Question: In the Wales/Samoa test, Wales kicked ahead and as the ball was rolling into goal a Samoa player standing with one foot in touch and the other foot touch in goal reached on the infield side of the corner post and picked up the ball. Is he deemed to be touch in goal as I cannot find an extension of the goal-line referenced in law? 

Stu Berry: Hi Sandy.

Thanks for your mail, and your question is a really unusual one.  In your particular description, it is determined by where the ball went out into touch/touch in goal (i.e. he picked the ball up on the touch side of the corner post), and so in this particular case, the Samoan player took possession of the ball when it crosses touch, and so a line-out would be the correct law decision.  This is all provided that the ball is still moving.

2. Name: Sam Starbuck 

Question: Hi I see that players pick up a ball that is still in play with their foot in touch surely this should be a line out to the team that kicked the ball,  e.g. South Africa vs France player picked the ball up that was lying in in-goal area but with his foot over the dead-ball line a 22 scrum was awarded from the kicking spot. Should this not have been South African scrum on 5 metres?

Stu Berry: Hi Sam.

The key here is whether the ball is moving still or not.  A moving ball fielded, for example, fielded by a player outside the 22m but with one foot in the 22m area is deemed not to have taken the ball back into the 22m, and so has the option to kick the ball directly into touch with a gain in ground.  If the ball had stopped just outside the 22m area, and he had picked it up with one foot in the 22m area, then he will be deemed to have taken it back into the 22m.

The same rational stands for the in-goal area.

3. Name: Eben Barnard

Question: In the game South Africa vs France a quick throw in is "taken " by JP Pietersen and touches a French player before it goes 5 metres. The referee plays advantage for France and a tackle/ruck ensues on South Africa's try-line resulting in a yellow card for Kankowski and a penalty - was this correct as there were no South Africa players at line-out and so it was not formed and a quick throw allowed? The law says any player preventing a quick throw going 5 metres results in a free kick on 15 m. In the worst case the line-out to South Africa should be awarded as JP was clearly milking situation (law 19.2 (d)) .

My question is why was there a turnover of possession and advantage played to the French?

Stu Berry: Hi Eben

The requirements for a quick throw to occur are as follows:

·  Same ball.

·  Same player who retrieved the ball.

·  Ball can't have touched anyone else.

·  No feet in the field of play.

You are correct in saying that a player who prevents the ball from going 5m is liable to be penalised by means of a free kick on the 15m line.  In this case, the ball still travelled 5m, and it was more than likely the opinion of the referee that no change to the probable outcome of the quick throw had occurred, hence play on. 

In terms of JP milking the situation as such, the law allows for an act contrary to good sportsmanship.  In this case, a referee needs to decide whether the player taking the quick throw was taking it because the option was on, or whether he was taking it to buy a free kick.  More often than not, the referee will allow a formed line-out to take place.

4. André de Klerk

Question: Can you explain what a lazy runner is, and if the ball is passed to him by the opposition, can he carry on playing or is he offside?

Stu Berry: Hi André.

A lazy runner is a slang word for a player offside.  It is generally a retiring player (from a previous phase of play) who is behind play and making an attempt to retire and get onside.  In this situation, when a ruck has formed at subsequent phases, the lazy runner can only become onside when he retires to his teams current onside line (generally the last mans feet) or if one of his players carrying the ball passes him or when the opposition do one of the following:

·  Runs 5m with the ball.

·  Kicks or passes the ball.

·  Intentionally touches the ball without catching it.

Hope this explains your question adequately.

5. Name: Mark Middelhoven

Question: In this weekend's test match (France vs South Africa) in the first half a penalty was awarded against France for "striking". Surely this a red card. Are there cases where punching or "striking " is not a red card offence and only a penalty offence?

Stu Berry: Hi Mark. This is always a hot topic. .the law states the following:

·  Law 10.4 (a) A player must not strike an opponent with the arm or fist, including the elbow, shoulder, knee or head. 
Penalty:  Penalty Kick

The issue of a red/yellow card or just a penalty is purely at the discretion of the referee, and he/she will take into account the nature of the strike, intent, provoking circumstances and degree of contact.