New Tackle Laws

[Epaminondas Pules]

Had a very interesting session with our local refs group yesterday, which included a lot of talk about the new tackle laws and what they're seeing so far.

All in all it was hugely positive. The consensus was overwhelmingly that clubs and players had adjusted well and already they're seeing big changes in games. For example ball carriers are freeing their arms more (giving up their stomach) to allow for the offload. All the refs said that offloads had gone up significantly.

Another interesting aspect they've all witnessed is the second (assist) tackler now holding back to be an active jackal threat rather than getting in to assist. And more roll / passive tackles, where the tacklers rolls backwards in the tackle, rather than trying to dominate, hence the jackal threat.

Very few late and low penalties so far. Plenty of pick and go's.

Interestingly they all agreed the most penalised high tackles have been wingers chasing back and seatbelting their opponent.

They also said penalties rose later on in game when players got tired and reverted more to type.

Overall they were very positive. Teams have already largely adjusted well during pre-season. Players understanding the picture they present.

What's everyone else seen so far?

[Puja]

I played my first game under the new tackle laws on Saturday and I have to say I agree with that consensus. There were very few high tackles (like, maybe 4 or 5 in the whole game) and there were a bunch of offloads, although that may have been because we were playing as an expansive team against an expansive team (as a 3rd teamer playing in a 2nd team friendly, this was not my type of game)

The only issue was the ref penalising a late and low 5m out where the player protested that he had been going for the line. Was marginal and created a bit of grumbling on the pitch about "game's gone soft, blah blah blah", but overall, a very good experience.

The big test will be this coming Saturday, when the 3rds come out for their first game of the season. Maybe 3 of us will have done any training so far, so most of the adaptation will be happening in the changing rooms as we remind them that this is a change that's happened. Will they adapt their behaviours? Will the (lower level) ref be able to keep control of the game? We'll see.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

I played my first game under the new tackle laws on Saturday and I have to say I agree with that consensus. There were very few high tackles (like, maybe 4 or 5 in the whole game) and there were a bunch of offloads, although that may have been because we were playing as an expansive team against an expansive team (as a 3rd teamer playing in a 2nd team friendly, this was not my type of game)

The only issue was the ref penalising a late and low 5m out where the player protested that he had been going for the line. Was marginal and created a bit of grumbling on the pitch about "game's gone soft, blah blah blah", but overall, a very good experience.

The big test will be this coming Saturday, when the 3rds come out for their first game of the season. Maybe 3 of us will have done any training so far, so most of the adaptation will be happening in the changing rooms as we remind them that this is a change that's happened. Will they adapt their behaviours? Will the (lower level) ref be able to keep control of the game? We'll see.

Puja

The advice from our refs group was that 2m out is fair game in terms of trying to score, but beyond that is liable for sanction.

[Gloskarlos]

Been ok so far - the grey area for my lot has been whether the second 'tackler' is actually trying to tackle or trying to hold a player up to create a maul. Not strictly contact in a forceful way above the sternum (although there is contact above the sternum) but not actually trying to tackle the player. How have your refs group approached that one?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Much the same. Probably the hardest area. One of the refs said he had players obviously holding back.

Senior ref said targeting the ball is fine but players need to recognise when they’re dicing with danger.

General view was technique in targeting the ball will have to change. For example no high elbows on rips. Though we said hand only rips are more favoured anyway. One to watch for sure.