Simple laws for a simple game.
I don't sense we have the same view up here in the NH . Views on RL vs RU are quite polarised especially in country so to suggest some convergence in more areas doesn't sit well
Nonetheless, there are Laws in one game have originated from the other
The Blood bin, the Video Referee, revolving subs, replacing injured players all originated in RL
The banning of spear tackles and shoulder charges, and the banning of tackling players in the air and scrum fed by the non-infringing side all originated in RU
It is rugby football and kicking tactically is a component of the game. In league it is about absolute physicality, keeping the game flowing and quick restarts.
We need to know
1. whether or not the ball is in touch
2. who was responsible for putting it there
These are simple requirements that do not need complexity. We should not need flow charts and a textbook on quantum physics to work this stuff out. FFS, the ARU has a booklet called
"Line Ball, Your Call". It uses 14 different scenarios with 17 photographs just to outline the situation regarding player/ball inside/outside the plane of touch. Most of this would unnecessary if the touch laws were simpler.
BASED ON RL TOUCH LAWS
1. Loose ball
- The ball is in touch if it touches the touchline, the ground beyond or anything or anyone standing there.
- The point of entry is where the ball crossed the touchline
- The last player to play it put it there.
2. Carried Ball
- The ball is in touch if the ball carrier steps on the touch line or the ground beyond it.
- The point of entry is where the ball carrier stepped on the touchline or the ground beyond it.
- The ball carrier put the ball into touch.
3. Player Jumping
- If a player jumps from the playing area he may tap or throw the ball back into the playing area provided that he does so before landing in touch.
- If a player jumps from touch and touches the ball, the ball is in touch and player who last played it before the jumping player put it there.
4. Ball stationaryl/Ball in motion
- If a player in touch picks up a moving ball, the ball is in touch and the player who last touched the ball put it there
- If a player in touch picks up a stationary ball, the ball is in touch and the player who picked it up put it there.
Explain to me how having this as the basic premise of RU touch laws would not "sit well"?