5.7e - ending the match - updated 2010

[Rawling]

I note that the law on when to end a match has been updated in the 2010 Law book:

Originally Posted by 5.7(e)

If time expires and the ball is not dead, or an awarded scrum or lineout has not been completed, the referee allows play to continue until the next time that the ball becomes dead. The ball becomes dead when the referee would have awarded a scrum, lineout, an option to the non-infringing team, drop out or after a conversion or successful penalty kick at goal. If a scrum has to be reset, the scrum has not been completed. If time expires and a mark, free kick or penalty kick is then awarded, the referee allows play to continue.

Much as I applaud any attempt to clarify this law - if it means referees less frequently "steal" the last play by awarding a scrum before time and then blowing up! - I'm worried about the bit in bold.

Does this mean that the referee shouldn't offer an option such as the penalty kick/scrum choice for offside in open play, but should instead end the match?

[dave_clark]

there is no option as such - the ref awards the penalty. the team can choose to take a scrum but that's very different to, for example, a scrum for a lineout not straight.

for your second paragraph, no. the game should not end on a penalty. if a side chooses to take a scrum, that's still part of the penalty so game goes on.

muddled words, but i hope it makes sense!

[Phil E]

Originally Posted by Rawling

Much as I applaud any attempt to clarify this law - if it means referees less frequently "steal" the last play by awarding a scrum before time and then blowing up!

But the referee (in our matches) is the sole judge of time,s o how would you know he was "stealing the last play"?

[Davet]

if it means referees less frequently "steal" the last play by awarding a scrum before time and then blowing up!

I don't understand this.

If a scrum is awarded before time is up then we play the scrum.

It doesn't matter when the players pack down.

So, KO, advantage, advantage, none coming..., <peep> arm out for scrum - that's the award, if that happens on 79:59 we scrum down.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by dave_clark

there is no option as such - the ref awards the penalty. the team can choose to take a scrum but that's very different to, for example, a scrum for a lineout not straight.

There certainly is such an option. Blue full back kicks, forward 20m ahead starts running and despite your loud calls is now about to cream the catcher. Whistle - that forward is offside. What do you want Red? PK where the forward started moving forward, or scrum where the FB kicked it? Oops; time's up, game over.

[dave_clark]

i duly stand corrected

i'll have to learn these damn laws at some stage

[dave_clark]

Originally Posted by Davet

If a scrum is awarded before time is up then we play the scrum.

It doesn't matter when the players pack down.

ah, yet another difference between elite rugby and the rest of the world i suspect.

[Dixie]

Just fired off this question to SA Refs. It's a good spot.

[Davet]

I suspect the phrase offer an option is to cover things like not straight at linout.

Play cannot stop on a Penalty, the fact that that penalty itself may involve options is not relevant - it is a penalty.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Davet

Play cannot stop on a Penalty, the fact that that penalty itself may involve options is not relevant - it is a penalty.

Except that if the scrum option is taken, it's only a scrum and not a penalty at all. The PK is one of two options; the law now use the term "sanction" instead of penalty, and the sanction for this offence is either a PK or a scrum, at the non-offending side's option.