Another in-goal question....

To asktheref@therugbyref.co.uk

I was reffing a game recently. The attacking side kicked the ball into the dead ball area and the defender deliberately knocked it over the dead ball line. What should I have given?

ThanksPeter

Hi Peter

The important thing to remember when the ball goes dead in-goal is not who made it dead, but who put the ball into in-goal.

• If the attackers put the ball into in-goal and it is made dead, the result is a 22 drop out.
• If the defenders put the ball into in-goal and it is made dead, the result is a 5m attacking scrum.

However you say in your question that "the defender deliberately knocked it over the dead ball line".

What we need to know is 'how' he knocked it over?  If he kicked the ball over the dead ball line, then it has been made dead legally and since the attackers put the ball into in-goal, the result is a 22 drop out.

But, if the defender threw or knocked the ball with his hand or arm, then we are looking at foul play and the sanction is a penalty kick.  What's more, if knocking the ball dead illegally prevented an attacker from grounding the ball, then we are looking at a penalty try and a yellow card.

10.2 UNFAIR PLAY(c) Throwing into touch. A player must not intentionally knock, place, push or throw the ball with his arm or hand into touch, touch-in-goal, or over the dead ball line.

Sanction: Penalty kick on the 15-metre line if the offence is between the 15-metre line and the touchline, or, at the place of infringement if the offence occured elsewhere in the field of play, or, 5 metres from the goal line and at least 15 metres from the touchline if the infringement occured in in-goal.

A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.

Don't forget, if you have a question on the Laws or Rugby Union you can email asktheref@therugbyref.co.uk for an answer.

The Rugby Ref