Craig Joubert refereed the match between the Sharks and Stormers at Newlands really well on Saturday. What was interesting is that nobody mentioned the fact that Craig is from Durban. It seems that the idea of merit appointments regardless of home base is catching on. Here he answers readers' questions.

The first three questions are answered together.

1. First Name: Mike Jones 

Question: Hi Craig,

In your response to Peter Shortell about what happens when the ball shoots out the side of a ruck you quote Law 16 which would of course apply but what would you do if for example a full back slipped over accidentally while he was running and then the ball was kicked at him by an attacking player. If he gathered the ball while on the floor and immediately passed it surely he was complying with Law 14.1 and should not be penalised? I think this is the sort of scenario Peter was trying to get across rather than killing the ball at a ruck which is obviously illegal. I'm afraid your reply has led to quite a lot of confusion in my local society. Surely you wouldn't want to award a penalty against a player who is accidentally on the floor and is not able to get away and acts positively?

Thanks. 

2. Name: Greg Collins 

Question: Peter Shortell asked a Law 14 question last week. Slightly different scenario: the ball is passed by the Blue #9 from a ruck towards a Blue player 10m from the ruck who for some reason is on the ground (legally!) and onside.  He flips it up, whilst still on the floor, to a team-mate. Legal or no? No opponent is near. (If one was would it make a difference?) 

3. Name: Matt Sandell 

Question: Following on from Peter's Questions. Law 14 refers to ball on floor, no tackle. In a general situation, if a player is on the floor (no tackle, not at (or near) a scrum, ruck, maul), can he play the ball if it comes to him? The definition section of law 14 says it applies to players on the ground in possession of the ball, but also says the game is to be played by players on their feet. So can a player already on the ground gain possession of the ball and use it, provided they comply fully with Law 14.1?

Craig Joubert: Hi Mike, Greg and Matt,

You're all asking variations of the same question and so I'll try to answer all three at once.

The law is pretty clear that the game is to be played by players on their feet. If a player who is on the ground/off his feet plays the ball he is liable to penalty. A referee might look to the influence that action has had and not penalise if there are no defenders in close proximity and he rules "no material effect". This is the art to refereeing.

Hope that clears all three up?

Cheers, Craig

4. Name: Paulo Duarte 

Question: Hello there,

I've just watched the clip (Right or Wrong - Clip 2, Thu, 03 Dec 2009) about the quick throw in, and I would like to add something, never the less, where the player catches the ball and moves forward, when he does the quick throw in, he is on the field, so....and if the player had caught the ball and had the quick throw in at that place, it was acceptable right?

My best regards from Portugal!

Paulo 

Craig Joubert: Hi Paulo,

I'm assuming you're asking whether a guy who catches the ball with one foot in the field of play and one foot in touch may take a quick throw in? Since the ball is deemed to be in touch that player is entitled a quick throw but must ensure that both feet are outside of the field of play to do so. In your example this would require him to move the foot that is in the field of play to outside of the touchline before he throws in.

Cheers, Craig

5. Name Bryan Combrinck

Question: Craig, thanks of your answer on the gadgets but now tell me about being your own TMO. Good idea?

Craig Joubert: Hi Bryan,

The jury is out on that one. Certainly it is a progressive move and one that was great to be involved in. In many ways it makes so much sense but needs refining. For example the monitor was too far from the point of action and too much attention was drawn to me as I made my way over to look at the replays. Also guys like Shaun Veldsman and Johann Meuwesen have made an art out of being a TMO and would be superior officials to me in that respect.

I look forward to seeing how the experiment progresses.

Cheers, Craig