Lions 2025

As a now retired referee I refer to the game principle at the start of law 13 “ Players on the ground  in open play”. The game is played only by players on their feet. I would suggest that if players, both attack and defence were penalised for intentionally going to ground yesterday’s incident would be avoided. It seems unfair that the attack may lie all over the play to prevent the defence playing it. Whereas a defender is penalised for being anywhere near the ball,

In fairness the terms “ruck” and “mall” as us old stagers knew them are obsolete. We now have something called the “breakdown”; the term is apt because any semblance of obeying the laws is out of the window at virtually every “collision”. Players off their feet, taking out players not directly involved, entering from the side and not moving away.

Edited by cheshire exile - 27 Jul 2025 at 19:21

FHLH wrote: Here's a scary phrase: "The [World Rugby] officials decided not to overturn Hugo Keenan's series-winning try after reviewing a clearout in the build-up from flanker Jac Morgan as the Lions snatched a late victory in a compelling contest at the MCG." Overturn the try after the game??

islander wrote: FHLH wrote: Here's a scary phrase: "The [World Rugby] officials decided not to overturn Hugo Keenan's series-winning try after reviewing a clearout in the build-up from flanker Jac Morgan as the Lions snatched a late victory in a compelling contest at the MCG." Overturn the try after the game?? who said this was reviewed after the game? the (match) officials reviewed it during the game, decided it was ok, and the game resumed (albeit only for 1 kick)...

I think FHLH is reading too much into this.

The bit that puzzles me is: "The [World Rugby] officials..."