My best guess is that o'Keefe confused the whole episode with playing the 9 & once he'd blown quickly made up a best available 'sell' - such evasions skills will ensure he goes far!
ps [Credit to MO for accepting the poor decision so well]
ps [Credit to MO for accepting the poor decision so well]
Playing the 9? From a Maul? He is not digging for the ball. It is in his hands and off the ground.
Applies to the ruck situation only, would be my understanding.
I suspect the only offence that would apply would be for being unbound, thus leaving him physically free to play for the ball and that would make him offside.
However if he was still caught in the middle I am sure we would have no problem him trying to play the ball carrier or the ball.
I would reasonably expect the SH to be well out of reach under normal circumstances, hence we are not likely to see such situations arise very often?