Defensive ruck inside the defensive 5... what do you do..

[WombleRef]

Situation in a game I've had yesterday -

Red have been tackled just in front of their own try line. A ruck forms, and the ball is presented so it is just in front of the try line.

Through no ones fault, the ball has drifted back so it's just on the try line. Not from being carried or pushed over the line, just from people rucking over and knocking it etc.

Blue spots this, comes round the side and touches down...

What do you give?

I went penalty red - blue in at the side. Purely as there was an internal mild panic of 'was the ball on the line when blue left or not' etc.

 

[Decorily]

It seems like you are answering your own question!

You made a judgement call and that is what you are there for. Well done.

 

[crossref]

If ball was on the line , then try. If not then PK to red

 

[Flish]

If ball was on the line , then try. If not then PK to red

Yup, ruck is now over, can’t be in at the side - however hopefully you sold your decision, it’s one of those ones that just looks wrong

 

[Stu10]

Yup, ruck is now over, can’t be in at the side - however hopefully you sold your decision, it’s one of those ones that just looks wrong

However, in my experience, this is one that players are clued up on, even at age grade. Hopefully general respect for referee took precedence and the players got on with the game.

 

[Jz558]

Sounds like a try to me but, as ever, would need to see it.

 

[SimonSmith]

However, in my experience, this is one that players are clued up on, even at age grade. Hopefully general respect for referee took precedence and the players got on with the game.

As an obnoxious scrum half, I really was. I was always looking for the ball to be on or over the line to dive on. We won a couple of games by that score.

 

[Marc Wakeham]

Was the "scorer" onside before the ball emerged? If not PK him as he was offside at the ruck " Never onside!". If he was onside at the ruck and only moved once the ball was out then it is a try.