A question

[Andrew Walker]

How can a kick which doesn’t travel ten metres be considered contestable

[caz]

a logical point

[Bansai Pipeline]

Nothing to lose I guess.

[Rooster36]

I’m probably wrong but I think it is the new rule to encourage short kicks outs to avoid collisions and concussions like a drop out

[caz]

but the point is if it doesn't go 10 metres players can't contest it

[Bansai Pipeline]

Yeah right, I didn't know that.

[Bates]

How can a kick which doesn’t travel ten metres be considered contestable

The receiver can contest the ball. Gather it before it goes 10 and it's play on.

If the team kicking touches the ball before it goes 10 it's a penalty against them.

[Tennessee Tornado]

The receiver can contest the ball. Gather it before it goes 10 and it's play on.

If the team kicking touches the ball before it goes 10 it's a penalty against them.

Neither team can touch the ball until it crosses the line. It’s a penalty either way

[Intercept]

How can a kick which doesn’t travel ten metres be considered contestable

I asked exactly the same thing! It clearly can't be contestable!

[Bates]

Neither team can touch the ball until it crosses the line. It’s a penalty either way

Thanks for the clarification.

[Vasco]

Neither team can touch the ball until it crosses the line. It’s a penalty either way

So why was it a play the ball?

[Tennessee Tornado]

So why was it a play the ball?

No one touched it so no penalty and it’s a play the ball because of the new rule similar to line drop out.

[Vasco]

No one touched it so no penalty and it’s a play the ball because of the new rule similar to line drop out.

Ok thanks mate.

[gragra]

Btw thought Atkins reffed fairly...so much better than Klein, Sutton and Gough.. .the game wasn't adversely influenced as with the other Muppets

[caz]

seems like they've got a specific definition of contestable. something like 'a ball is deemed contestable if a player from both teams is physically able to touch the ball'.
seems like they're wanting to encourage or at least not discourage short kick offs. so a ball that goes out on the full from a kick off but not within reach of a player from both teams is still a penalty.