Socalguy

When the ball is passed from one player to another during play I notice that if it is intercepted that is ok but if it is knocked down during the attempted pass by an opposing player there is a penalty. I can't find a reference to this in the general rules. Does the official have to determine if the player was just interfering with the ball or trying to intercept? Does the player have to have 2 hands on the attempted interception or what? Would appreciate some enlightenment on this.

Also, when the ball is in the ruck I have noticed players prying at the ball or even sometimes other players with their feet. It actually looks like they are kicking the other players in the process. What is this and is it legal?

Thanks. First time poster.

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HB Unicorns/Backbay/Belmont Shore

Rhys

Passing: If they're making a genuine attempt to take the ball (and they're not offside) it's not a penalty. But if they deliberately hit the ball away to disrupt the play then it's a penalty and maybe a yellow card.

Rucking: They are allowed to rake the ball out of the ruck and if they get the player too then that's fine as the player will be on the wrong side of the ruck so it's his own fault. Basically if you play rugby get out of a ruck ASAP if you're a back

Correct me if I'm wrong

Socalguy

Thanks for getting back to me so promptly. I have been watching all the Rugby I can find here in Southern California and was just able to get SETANTA on my Sat. feed earlier this year. I read the basic rules on the IRB site and your answers clear up a lot for me. Favorite teams are Cardiff & Munster. Only complaint at this point is that I can not always figure out what the penalties are as they don't communicate them as broadly with signs and announcements in Rugby as they do in American Football and sometimes the announcers do not seem to have seen the infraction. Of course I have not been watching that long either. Thanks again.

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HB Unicorns/Backbay/Belmont Shore

Rhys

May I ask why you like Cardiff as they're my team too