[Law] Box kick blockers

[Dave Sherwin]

Has there been a thread / discussion recently around the interpretations being applied to those "ruckers" who are clearly joining said ruck solely to be blockers for the box-kicking scrum-half. There seem to have been a number of different interpretations on this at elite level as the season has gone on (some diametrically opposed - i.e. ref one week saying bind on, but the same ref saying, the following week, "don't bind"). Clearly it's been a moveable feast and I'm just wondering if anyone has any clarity as to where it has come out.

Cheers!

 

[Dickie E]

it seems fairly clear to me. If a team mate of the kicker is on side at the ruck/maul he can stand where he likes but must not move to obstruct an opponent running through.

If he want to be in front of the last feet, he needs to be bound in the ruck/maul