No referee has more Test experience than Jonathan Kaplan. Here is a chance for readers to ask him questions.

1. Name: Mark Middelhoven

Question: Hi
 
Regarding Saturdays game of SA vs the New Zealand, in the 52/53 minute Gio Aplon runs into a ruck in a very similar manner to that of Bakkies Botha, (Bulls vs Western Province Super 14) for which Bakkies was suspended, at the time of writing he (Gio Aplon) has not been cited. My question is why hasn't he been cited? Is there some technical issue I am missing, for instance, in the case of Botha there was an injury while in Aplon's there wasn't. Does this make a difference?

Regarding the new interpretations concerning tip tackles, etc, which are designed to reduce injuries, There haven't been a slew of serious injuries; so why did the IRB feel it was necessary to beef up the rules?

Many thanks

Mark

Jonathan Kaplan: I think that whilst the actions may have been similar, the intent was different. Bakkies recklessly led with his head aimed at another player's head, whereas this was completely different. The seriousness of the collision is taken into account when deciding on sanction.

The IRB is not waiting for serious injuries before they take action. The aim of the exercise was to make the game safer for all and there can be no doubt that all referees are trying to maintain a very high standard in this respect!

2. Name: Ian Cook

Question: Having just watched Nigel Owens refereeing the test in Jo' burg, I am somewhat concerned at his positioning. He was very lucky not to be hurt more seriously and got in the way several other times. As a former referee, I was taught to stay out of the "chariot" position behind rucks and mauls, and to be more to the side.

I have two questions;

a. Is positioning taught differently for elite referees from what we were taught in the grass roots?

b. Do SA Referees use the "Five Pillars" system for referee performance and development, and if so, under which pillar is positioning assessed?

Jonathan Kaplan: We are not given any instructions on where to stand. Some prefer chariot, some chariot 45, some defensive line, some blind side. The bottom line is wherever you stand, you will always have a blind spot!

I have not heard of the last mentioned point, but I do believe that too much can be made of where to stand, instead of tactical appreciation and anticipation of the play.

3. Name: Morgan Davies

Question: I have two questions.

a. If I am not mistaken, a try is scored if the ball is grounded against the post, beyond the try line.

If this is the case, are there any exceptions to this, besides obvious foul play?

b. Are referees allowed to consult Assistant Referees to see if a try had been scored before having it referred to the TMO or is the referee the one to make the decision?  

Jonathan Kaplan: I think it is the post and the ground if I am not mistaken.

Referees are well within their rights to consult the assistant referees, as all we are really trying to do is get the decision right and sometimes they may have a better position than you on the position of the ball.

4. Name: Hendri Greyling

Question: Hi. This may come as a silly question. The following happened at a local derby.

A player kicks the ball from within his 22 for touch. The assistant referee was, by accident, standing inside the field of play when the ball hit him and did not go into touch and then touched the opposite player and then went out. The ball would have gone out if it did not hit the assistant referee and the opposite team would have had the throw in at the line-out as the kicker was not taking a penalty. What will the decision be. I can't find any law that covers the ball touching the assistant referee in the field of play.

Regards, Hendri

Jonathan Kaplan: I would suggest that a scrum should be given to the team last in possession of the ball at the point where it touched the assistant.

5. Name: Niel van Rooyen

Question: Good day

Just have a quick question

Advantage play: Example: When Team A loss the ball forward and Team B picks the ball up, what does the law state, how long may you play advantage and as with penalty advantage?

Thanks

Jonathan Kaplan: The advantage you are referring to is usually over much more quickly than a penalty advantage. This would imply tactical and/or territorial advantage for a team,  e.g. when the person who picks the ball up goes 2m across the advantage line and quick ball is forthcoming!

6. Name: Terence Gregory

Question: Many thanks for an enlightening forum.

Please could you assist by providing a definition of being "bound". Is there a difference between bound in a scrum vs maul, etc. I watched the Bulls/Leopards game last week and had difficulty with some of the calls related to binding.

Kind regards 

Jonathan Kaplan: Binding in the scrum is different for each position. The flanks and No.8 must be bound with a full shoulder to hand on a team-mate. The same would apply for a maul except for players caught up in the maul who may work their way through the maul but not slip up the side of players to get at the ball.

7. Name: Eben Barnard

Question: my question in terms of consistency was it a forward pass that led to McCaw's try and if yes what is happening to Simon McDowell, will he be shifting to TMO as did Cobus Wessels did Down Under ?     

Jonathan Kaplan: Eben, It was definitely a forward pass! Unlike the marking of touch and foul play, forward passes are not the primary domain of assistant referees. They can and should help when something is clear and obvious but the buck stops with the referee, and in this instance it was Nigel Owens who missed it.

8. Name: Drew Richardson

Question: Obviously we don't have communication at lower levels between the assistant referees and the referees at lower levels of the game which I've found can make for some interesting issues when it comes to flagging foul play. Last week the following occurred:

Blue kicks defensively from inside their 22m. The kicker is hit in a late tackle by a red player. The ref doesn't see it but the offence is immediately flagged by the far side touch judge. Red run the ball back and at a subsequent ruck, a blue player throws a punch during the breakup of the ruck. Nearside touch judge flags this offence immediately. Red goes on to score a try.

First offence was the late hit by Red. Second offence was the punch by Blue. Both preceded the try by Red. What is the outcome?

Cheers, Drew

Jonathan Kaplan: Interesting question, Drew.

I believe the try should stand and send both transgressing players off or to the sin bin depending on the severity of their offences.