isn't hurdling a ruck illegal?
didds
Nope, just jumping on top of one
The only restriction on tackling players "in the air" is when the ball is being jumped for (from a kick is implied). A ball carrier is not "safe" because neither of his feet are touching the ground (note that the athletic definition of "walking" is that one foot must touch the ground at all times).
I agree.
The Law was introduced with the intention of
protecting players jumping to catch a ball directly after it has been kicked by either a team-mate or an opponent.
It was NOT intended to protect a ball carrier...
a. who jumps as an opponent tackles him.
b. who jumps to catch a pass.
c. from being tackled during the 15-20% of the stride time when the runner's feet are both off the ground (between the end of the swing phase and footstrike).
d. when diving for the try-line.
e. who jumps to catch a bouncing ball.
That the wording of the Law
technically does protect the ball carrier in these scenarios is of no consequence. The referee has to make sense of the Laws and understand what they were intended to do. To apply 10.4 (e) to scenarios a. through e. would be the height of stupidity, and would essentially make the game of rugby unplayable.