PODSLAM 90: The Orange Rams

Hi Matt – always good – need a new intro this year due to the changes to scrum set calls.

The comment attributed to “Eyes and Ears” (who by the way, I can confirm is a referee in good standing) does not surprise me all.

For decades referees have had these conventions that are not law but in the observation of them, they become quasi-law.

So, for the penalty try TMO Munro mentioned that a try would have been scored if the offending player was taken out of the equation – and the ref upheld the convention by ordering a penalty try.

Another convention that is used by referees is that scrummies are allowed to put the ball into the scrum skew if the feed is ‘credible.’ We punters scream about why a lineout throw of 15 metres or more is judged so harshly, yet a short throw into the scrum is allowed 30 degrees skew.

There’s as good reason for it – It’s a pragmatic convention of the referees because of how often the tunnel is corrupted by the power hit. Let them put it into the tunnel behind their hooker’s feet.

Some of the conventions are good – who wants to penalise the attacking scrummie for putting his hands into the ruck to get the ball out and pass it wide? It would have been pinged in the 1950s and 60s and it is still the law.

But by and large observation of the law, as written, works better.
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