Marius Jonker is having a busy time as the questions keep coming in as he prepares for Saturday's match in Johannesburg between the Lions and the Chiefs.
 
1.  Name: John Davies
 
Question: I have just watched the recording of the Reds vs Tahs game from last Saturday.  Was the TMO decision to disallow Turner's try because of touch-in-goal the correct one? Was he carrying or in control of the ball?

Marius Jonker: Hi John. 

The player was not carrying the ball and therefor it cannot be touch-in-goal. A player in touch, whether on his feet or not, may score a try by placing his hands on the ball lying in in-goal. 

In the Waratahs game it is not clear whether there was downward pressure on the ball and it would have been great to see what happened next but the whistle had gone at that stage. 

Regards, Marius
 
2.  Name: Jan de Wet
 
Question: I would just like to receive some clarity on a few laws. 
 
The first is when the ball is kicked to touch in general play and the opposing player, in an attempt to force the ball directly into touch, positions himself with one foot in touch and the other in the field of play and then proceeds to knock the ball forward in the catch with the ball staying in the field of play.  Is the ball still alive or was it in touch and can the opposing team still take advantage from the knock-on and play the ball?
 
The second question: I am of the understanding that if the ball touches any part of the body between the shoulders and knees and goes forward, even though it has not touched any hands or arms in the process, that this is still seen as a knock-on.  If this is the case, then a surely a player who intentionally kicks the ball with his knees, is in fact knocking the ball forward?
 
Regards, Jan De Wet

Marius Jonker: Hi Jan. 

Scenario 1. 
Ball is still alive and advantage can be gained from the knock-on. 

Scenario 2. 
A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward or when a player hits the ball fwd with the hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward and the ball hits the ground or another player before it is caught by the original player. 

Ball going forward from the chest, waist, legs, etc is not knocked-on. 

Regards, Marius. 
 
3.  Name: Charles Shepherd
 
Question: Hi there
 
I love the way the new strict application of the Big 4 laws lets the game flow and makes it so much faster, but I have one problem, everybody is focusing so much on the tackler not rolling that they forget about the attacking players diving in or on to the breakdown situation.  I watched all the games of the weekend 12-14 February 2010 and only in one game could one clearly see that the guys were cleaning over the ball taking out the tackler instead of going down on the ball and that was the Blues-Hurricanes match. 
 
The second thing I want to talk about was Jaco Peyper’s handling of the Stormers-Lions game.  He handled the first half superbly, but the it looked as if someone gave him a stern talking to at half-time and he looked out of sorts in the second half, I don't know if someone shot him down about the first half, but I think he did better in the first half than the second. 
 
Keep it real
Charles

Marius Jonker: Hi Charles. 

Referees have been made aware that getting the Big 4 right should not take the focus away from all the other laws. You made a valid point and we accept your view. 

Jaco had a really tough outing on Saturday and did well. He has been assessed on his game and will also do some self assessment. Your view on the difference of two halves are noted and should reflect in the match reports if indeed correct. 

We'll try and keep it real, brother... we'll try. 

Cheers, Marius.
 
4.  Name: Shane Kennedy
 
 Question: When should the referee determine that a player was accidentally offside, and award a scrum, rather than a penalty? Law 11.6 (a) describes a player as accidentally offside when he "cannot avoid being touched by the ball or a teammate carrying it. " Would this apply to situations where a teammate of the ball-carrier is attempting to retreat but is unable to avoid obstructing the defenders?
 
 Marius Jonker: Hi Shane.
 
 The scenario as per your question could be a case of accidental offside. 
 
 Cheers, Marius.