Rule change - scoring tries

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Did anyone see the "try" by Daly Cherry-Evans last night?

Extremely similar to the Inglis try in SOO 1 and it is becoming a bit of a joke now. Video referees are making calls on whether a player is deliberately playing at the ball. It is too subjective.

Therefore, a suggested rule change. If in the act of attempting to score a try and the attacking player either loses the ball or has the ball dislodged by a defending player, it is no try. If the ball is dislodged by the defending player, the same rule applies as that when the ball is stolen (line drop).

The video ref therefore has a primary decision, but easy, decision to make on awarding a try, is the player in the act of scoring a try? The subjective decision of determining if the defending player has played at the ball becomes secondary and will either be a line drop (yes) or 20m tap (no).

Defending players should have the right to protect their try line at all costs. If the attacking player carries the ball in such a manner it can be dislodged, then a try cannot be award.

 

[Yossarian]

I agree. Personally I think more emphasis needs to be on the responsibility of the ball carrier to hang on to the damn ball!!!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Your suggested rule change is fair Gary. Moreover it's simple and clear cut.

Scoring tries has gone to buggery now… I still reckon you need to have a hand (not a pinky, nail etc,) on the ball when it comes into contact with the ground.

Where does the dumbing down of the rule stop? Why not go the whole hog and make it like American Football where you just have to cross the line in possession? Frustrates me to no end.

 

[underdog]

I thought it was another Heroic effort by Ryan Hoffman - he'd just denied Brett Stewart in the corner about 2 minutes beforehand.

Joke of a rule, and even DCE looked surprised - interestingly though - no argument from Cameron Smith. If that had been Farah, Gallen or Anasta they'd be tearing strips off the reffs.

 

[AngryEmu]

Only problem I have with it is the "act of attempting to score a try", this is still too vague.

Surely every moment on the field you are attempting to score a try.

An example is if a defender strips the ball in a 2 man tackle it is a penalty, but you can do it if the player is attempting to score a try. In round 1 this year against the Sharks there was a penalty for a strip right on the try line, now when is he considered to be "attempting to score"?

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Only problem I have with it is the "act of attempting to score a try", this is still too vague.

Surely every moment on the field you are attempting to score a try.

An example is if a defender strips the ball in a 2 man tackle it is a penalty, but you can do it if the player is attempting to score a try. In round 1 this year against the Sharks there was a penalty for a strip right on the try line, now when is he considered to be "attempting to score"?

When the player is over the try line would be the first place to start. If you strip the ball in the in goal, it is a line drop out, not a penalty try as was the case a few seasons back. Essentially I think this ruling should also apply if the ball is dislodged by the defender.

In saying that, I see your point, but I still think this is less vague or subjective than determining if a defender has deliberately (or not) played at the ball.

 

[Frank_the_tank]

I don't have a problem with your suggested rule change Gary. Makes perfect sence to me. I really have issues with rules that are open to interpretation and are therefore inconsistant.

 

[softlaw]

Like it!
Write to the commish

 

[Jazza]

To me the rule needs to be simplified.

If the ball comes loose, no matter how many defenders hands are on the ball, it is a knock on against the attacking team. The attackers should hold onto the ball like a bag of gold when they are about to score, if the defenders somehow dislodge the ball in any way possible, then they should be rewarded and tough luck to the attacking player.

 

[TigersFan4Life]

That Uate try last night was ridiculous. Brandy was saying that his fingers rolled along the back of the ball while it hit the ground. Where is the downward pressure and control of the ball?????????

 

[Marshall_magic]

I thought Uate's try was a try, his fingers never left the ball, it's been a try for 5 seasons, so I won't complain. We've had worse tries given. Ash Graham's try on Saturday night was a joke though.

As for stripping, I'd like to see a rule where if the defenders strip the attacker while he's going for the try it be called a goal line drop out. If the defenders do the good job of forcing the ball loose to stop the try the attacker shouldn't get another crack. Cronulla copped a shocker against Newcastle at the start of the year and something should have been done then.

Also, scrap the stupid torso rule. No hand on the ball=no try.

 

[Bismark]

Interestingly, I was watching the 2005 Grand Final a few weeks back, and the Pat Richards try which was disallowed would now be ruled a try. It's OBVIOUS there was no seperation, but the decision was based on control.

At the time I though he'd scored it, but I think we were collectively OK with it being disallowed (I'm sure we were too busy celebrating to even think about it tbh).

Just curious that in 7 years the rules regarding a try have changed SO much.