Yes - different parts of the body making contact and different sections of the laws covering such:
[LAWS]10.4 (a)
Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
(c)
Kicking. A player must not kick an opponent
[/LAWS]
These are different levels of striking and they are dealt with differently.
Note the first item....it shows that striking using the hand, arm and fist are regarded by WR as one an the same thing.
[LAWS]
WR Regulation 17 Appendix 1
10.4(a) Striking another Player with a
hand, arm or fist
LE – 2 weeks
MR – 5 weeks
TE – 8+ weeks
10.4(a) Striking another Player with the
elbow
LE – 2 weeks
MR – 5 weeks
TE – 9+ weeks
10.4(a) Striking with
knee
LE – 3 weeks
MR – 8 weeks
TE – 12+ weeks
10.4(a) Striking with
head
LE – 4 weeks
MR – 10 weeks
TE – 16+ weeks [/LAWS]
Striking with the shoulder is also mentioned in Law 10.4 (a) but its dealt with separately...
[laws]10.4(k) Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of opponent without the ball, including
shouldering
LE – 2 weeks
MR – 5 weeks
TE – 10+ weeks
10.4(g) Dangerous charging or knocking down an opponent with the ball, including
shouldering
LE – 2 weeks
MR – 5 weeks
TE – 10+ weeks
[/laws]
The ARU's appeal contention that hitting with the open hand was not striking has failed (thank heavens because I could not think of a worse can of worms to be opening just before RWC).
IMO, it fails on two counts.... Regulation 17 makes it clear that it does count as striking (even though the law doesn't specifically mention it, and there is this
Playing Charter 2015 - Spirit
Rugby owes much of its appeal to the fact that it is played both to the letter and within the Spirit of the Laws. The responsibility for ensuring that this happens lies not with one individual - it involves coaches, captains, players and referees.
Its a shame that some unions appear to have forgotten this!
