Play the ball

[Rooster_6]

Am I tripping or did the rule not used to be that you had two cracks to play the ball backwards so even if you accidentally knocked it forward as long as you got it backwards on the second attempt you would be good?

And I'm not talking about back in the 90s where you could just punt the ball forward, I'm talking more recently.

[roosterproud]

Am I tripping or did the rule not used to be that you had two cracks to play the ball backwards so even if you accidentally knocked it forward as long as you got it backwards on the second attempt you would be good?

And I'm not talking about back in the 90s where you could just punt the ball forward, I'm talking more recently.

That was back when tvs were in 2 colours and when the first marker could rake or kick at the play the ball

[Hawkeye]

Somewhere along the way in the last 20 years and I can't recall exactly or even approximately when, but they changed the interpretation of the play the ball to the player getting just one strike at the ball. If you require a second rake at the ball to ruck it back to your dummy half, then it's now considered a knock on ! I bet it's not in the rule book, but just the way this interpretation has evolved.

["gaz"]

The front sole of Whyte's shoe seperated and caused the ball to go forward.
Time for a new pair of boots Mr Whyte.

[Carlos Parra]

Am I tripping or did the rule not used to be that you had two cracks to play the ball backwards so even if you accidentally knocked it forward as long as you got it backwards on the second attempt you would be good?

And I'm not talking about back in the 90s where you could just punt the ball forward, I'm talking more recently.

That very same question was asked by 'Gav' from Rockdale on SEN radio this morning.

Is your name Gav by any chance?

[Rooster_6]

That very same question was asked by 'Gav' from Rockdale on SEN radio this morning.

Is your name Gav by any chance?

Haha no mate, but I'm glad to know I'm not going crazy.

I'm sure it was Vossy or Warren Smith who used to rant about it every now and then as typically when a player accidentally knocks it forward with their foot they never make a second attempt to rake it backwards.

[Vasco]

Haha no mate, but I'm glad to know I'm not going crazy.

I'm sure it was Vossy or Warren Smith who used to rant about it every now and then as typically when a player accidentally knocks it forward with their foot they never make a second attempt to rake it backwards.

Andrew Voss would know the answer for sure.

[Random Rooster]

The play the ball used to be a contest whereby the marker could rake back the ball to gain possession- from memory Ray Price and Mario Fenech were real good at it in the 80's. Problem with the contest was the marker wasnt always square and would step a bit to his side to get a better strike at the ball-sometimes the ref would penalise the marker for it and sometimes not- messy.

If there was no marker you could also tap the ball and play on- you also had to be square when tapping it.

Not that i hold grudges (much) but go to the 3 minute mark of the following highlights of the 1984 Panasonic Cup final and you will see not only wasn't Lewis standing square but Kevin Hastings was at marker-cost us winning the tournament. I was never surprised Chris Ward was a useless video ref because he was useless with the whistle as well.

Sidenote- Artie Beetson was on the hill that night and i got his autograph on the game program. Still got it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AG3yHYTO78

[Waylander]

The rule (Section 11, 10e) now states that “When the ball touches the ground it must be heeled (i.e. backwards) by the tackled player”. No second chances.

[Carlos Parra]

The play the ball used to be a contest whereby the marker could rake back the ball to gain possession- from memory Ray Price and Mario Fenech were real good at it in the 80's. Problem with the contest was the marker wasnt always square and would step a bit to his side to get a better strike at the ball-sometimes the ref would penalise the marker for it and sometimes not- messy.

If there was no marker you could also tap the ball and play on- you also had to be square when tapping it.

Not that i hold grudges (much) but go to the 3 minute mark of the following highlights of the 1984 Panasonic Cup final and you will see not only wasn't Lewis standing square but Kevin Hastings was at marker-cost us winning the tournament. I was never surprised Chris Ward was a useless video ref because he was useless with the whistle as well.

Sidenote- Artie Beetson was on the hill that night and i got his autograph on the game program. Still got it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AG3yHYTO78

Add Steve Mortimer and Benny Elias to the list. Used to give me the bloody sh!ts when they did it.

[Carlos Parra]

Am I tripping or did the rule not used to be that you had two cracks to play the ball backwards so even if you accidentally knocked it forward as long as you got it backwards on the second attempt you would be good?

And I'm not talking about back in the 90s where you could just punt the ball forward, I'm talking more recently.

What about the good old days when the marker could kick at the ball forward (from their perspective), rather than rake it backwards, then chase through if there was no marker and regather to score a legitimate try?

We need to bring those rules back!

[Billy Gunn]

Andrew Voss would know the answer for sure.

I'm sure it was Vossy or Warm Smith saying it in commentary a few years ago, if you knock the ball forward, you can rake the ball backwards. But I think it is a given in today's game that if you kick it for it's a turn over.

The other thing I have noticed, the play the ball crackdown disappeared completely, it's back to the rolling the ball however you like.