LAW 22. MAUL

A maul, which can take place only in the field-of-play, is formed by one or more players from each team on their feet and in physical contact closing round a player who is carrying the ball.
A maul ends when the ball is on the ground or the ball or a player carrying it emerges from the maul or when a scrummage is ordered.
If the ball in a maul is on or over the goal line the maul is ended.

(1)

A player joining a maul must have his head and shoulders no lower than his hips.

Penalty:- Free kick at the place of infringement.

(2)

A player must not:-

(a): jump on top of players in a maul
(b): willfully collapse a maul
(c): attempt to drag another player out of a maul.

Penalty:- Penalty kick at the place of infringement.

(3)

A player is not in physical contact unless he is caught in or bound to the maul and not merely alongside it.

(4)

(a): When a maul becomes stationary or the ball in a maul becomes unplayable a scrummage shall be ordered and the ball shall be put in by the team NOT in possession at the commencement of the maul, except where the referee is unable to determine which team was in possession then the ball shall be put in by the team which was moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if neither team was moving forward by the attacking team.
(b): If a player catches the ball direct from a kick by an opponent, other than from a kick-off or from a drop-out, and is immediately held by an opponent so that a maul ensues and the maul becomes stationary or the ball becomes unplayable his team shall put in the ball at the ensuing scrummage.

Notes:-
(i)
Direct from a kick means the ball has been caught without having bounced off the playing surface or without having touched or been touched in flight by another player.

(ii)
When the maul becomes stationary but the ball is being moved and can be seen by the referee, he should allow reasonable time for the ball to emerge but not permit the maul to start moving again. When the ball in a maul becomes unplayable the referee should not allow prolonged wrestling for the ball and should order a scrummage.

(iii)
If a player in a maul goes to ground including being on one knee or both knees or sitting on the ground, a scrummage is to be ordered unless the ball is immediately available for the continuation of play.

I.R.F.B. Ruling

1.
Immediately means as soon as the player's feet are on the ground after catching the ball.
Law 20(7).

3.
A player catches the ball direct from a kick by an opponent who is immediately held so a maul ensues and the maul moves into In-goal. The attacking team shall have the put-in to the resulting five meters scrummage if:

(i)
the ball becomes unplayable (refer Law 14(2))
(ii)
the ball is touched down (refer Law 14(3)(b))

4.
A maul is not stationary if it is moving in any direction.

For Off-side at Maul see Law 24 C.

Go to Index

Continue to Law 23

Return to Contents Page