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Hands on neck clearing player out

V

Volun-selected


Referees in America
Was finally watching the Eng v Sco match and noticed a few times where during the clear out a hand ends up on the neck of a player as they get hauled out. Not a croc roll but def using the neck for leverage. This example is from 35:25 (the shot is from the replay).

In this example, if I could capture the a couple of seconds either side, E13 has just made a great tackle on S15, released and got back up rapidly enough to engage for the breakdown. He comes in, grabs onto S13 and pulls around the ruck and drags S13 away successfully. Ref saw a knock-on and blows for Eng scrum.

Game continues but I’m getting hung up whether this is legal or not. To me it feels wrong but the only thing I can think is the “no contact above the shoulders in a ruck” law.

I’d have penalized this, just a PK, but now I’m wondering if this is legal and I’d have been wrong.

Thoughts, please.


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At Community Rugby level, no contact with head/neck should be permitted. Sometimes it may be less material - e.g. if in this situation E13 releases from the neck as soon as he realises where he has made contact, perhaps after a quick warning, then I would be playing on in isolated incidents. If force/momentum is involved (strike rather than grab), or it is becoming frequent, then no leeway granted.

I wouldn't be telling international referees or players where their lines should be drawn.
 
chbg said:
At Community Rugby level, no contact with head/neck should be permitted. Sometimes it may be less material - e.g. if in this situation E13 releases from the neck as soon as he realises where he has made contact, perhaps after a quick warning, then I would be playing on in isolated incidents. If force/momentum is involved (strike rather than grab), or it is becoming frequent, then no leeway granted.

I wouldn't be telling international referees or players where their lines should be drawn.
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Are you not contradicting yourself?

No contact with head or neck should be permitted.

Sometimes it's OK!



My words....not yours.
 
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