Where the 2018 Law Book is actually different from 2017

[crossref]

Here's a table showing the places where the 2018 Law Book is actually different from the 2017 Law Book - and some notes on how (I think) we should ref these differences

If anyone has spotted any others, let me know and I'll add them

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

I have (bravely) set the permissions so that anyone can edit the document..

[Pegleg]

Great work Crossref.

[Camquin]

Minimum size of pitch

[ChrisR]

crossref, I'll let you do the table editing:

2. The ball is not in touch or touch-in-goal if:


b. A player jumps, from within or outside the playing area, and catches the ball,
and then lands in the playing area, regardless of whether the ball reached the
plane of touch.

Red is not stated in 2017.

If a player jumps and catches the ball, both feet must land in the playing area otherwise the ball is in touch or touch-in-goal.

This ^^^^^ was in 'Definitions' in the 2016 laws but was removed in 2017.

[crossref]

Thanks both , I will update my table tomorrow

[crossref]

I don't think minimum pitch size is a change --

2018

The dimensions of the playing area shown in the ground diagram
Then a table --
Field of play length 94-100
In-goal length 6-23
Width 68 - 70

then
The playing area is rectangular in shape
.a. Any variations to these dimensions must be approved by the relevant union for
b. domestic competitions or World Rugby for international matches.

2017

(a) Dimensions. The field of play does not exceed 100 metres in length. Each in-goal does not exceed 22 metres in length. The playing area does not exceed 70 metres in width.

(b) The length and breadth of the playing area are to be as near as possible to the dimensions indicated. All the areas are rectangular.
(c) The distance from the goal line to the dead ball line will preferably be not less than 10 metres.
(d) In respect of:
(i) Matches between the senior national representative team or the next senior national representative team of a Union against the senior or next senior national representative team of another Union; and
(ii) International seven-a-side matches;
the dimensions should be as close to the maximum sizes as possible, and not less than 94 metres in length for the field of play, 68 metres in width, and with a minimum in-goal length of 6 metres. Unions wishing to vary minimum or maximum dimensions should apply for dispensation to World Rugby.

I think that all amounts to the same thing.

NOTE - in both the 2017 and 2018 versions the diagram shows a minimum in-goal length of 10m, but the text specifies 6m

[crossref]

the touchline one -- for me Law 18/19 (why, why oh why didn't they preserve the Law numbering??) is easily the worst part of the 2018 re-write -- what's the point of carefully re-writing all the old 2017 Laws and completely ignoring the 2017 Law Amendment Trials ?

[Ian_Cook]

Changes in wording are not changes in Law, they are clarifications of existing Law. The acid test is, will you referee something differently using the 2018 Law Book, from how you would using the 2017 Law book? The answer to that is, no.

Law 7 > 9 - Players have always been allowed to push the ball carrier, and they still can
Law 14 > 13 - Players have always been out of the game when off their feet
Law 10 > 9 - The Cavalry Charge has always referred to multiple players

The wording may be different, the Laws are the same.

[ChrisR]

Definitions specific to each law have been removed leaving some gaps:

2017 Scrum definitions included:

The outside players who bind onto the second or third row are the flankers.
The player in the third row who usually pushes on both locks is the No.8.
Alternatively , the No. 8 may push on a lock and a flanker.

2018 Scrum laws include:

7. The players in the scrum bind in the following way:
d. All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.

Is there an assumption by WR that all scrums are 3-4-1 as in their diagram? Or do the 2018 laws leave it open to 3-3-2, 3-2-3?

[ctrainor]

I've not looked at any of the threads on simplified law book as I've heard nothing official from my society
10.4 one man cavalry charge. Technically was illegal now not.
22.7.b knock on into goal. This leaves the way open for attacking team have put the ball into in goal so defence touch it down 22 drop out