Time
The concept of actual time is introduced, to be used for timing the 15 blood bins. This is in contrast to playing time, which is used to time sin bins. Blood bins are now limited to fifteen minutes actual time.

Method of Scoring
When a Penalty Kick at goal is being taken, any touching of the ball to prevent the goal from being scored is illegal and is sanctioned by a Penalty at the place of infringement.

Kick-offs
All kick-offs, including starting each half, are drop kicks. The reason for this is to get away from the ridiculously high tees now being used to achieve loft on the kick-off. The same result can be obtained with a drop kick.

Drop outs
If a 22 drop out goes all the way to the opponent’s in-goal without having touched or been touched by a player it is treated the same way as a similar kick-off. If it is made dead or touched down immediately, the receiving team has the option of another drop out or a scrum at the middle of their opponent’s 22 meter line.

Players in the Air
This part of Law 10 was amended to make it clear that tackling any player in the air was dangerous – not just when receiving a kick. There is an exception allowing defenders to tackle a ball carrier who is diving for the goal line. “Tackling” was added to the list of what cannot be done to a jumper at a line-out.

Tackle
It is now specifically clear that a player on his or her feet may attempt to pull the ball from a tackled player. This can happen even before the tackled ball carrier has had a chance to place or pass the ball. Effectively, if there are opponents present on their feet (and having arrived legally), the tackled ball carrier’s options are reduced down to one – release.

In Touch
Amend LAW 19 1 (d) to read:

“Kicks indirectly into touch. When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks indirectly into touch so that the ball bounces in the field-of-play the throw in is taken where the ball went into touch.

When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks the ball so that it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes indirectly into touch so that the ball bounces in the field of play the throw in is taken where the ball went into touch.

When a player anywhere in the playing area kicks the ball so that it touches or is touched by an opposition player and then goes directly into touch the throw in is taken in line with where the opposition player touched the ball or where the ball crossed the touch line if that is nearer the opposition player’s goal line.”

Line-out
When the ball is in touch, all players who approach the line-of-touch are presumed to be doing so to form the line-out. They must do so without delay. Once in the line-out they must not leave until the line-out is ended, except when peeling.

Knock-on
It was clarified that a voluntary knock-on or throw forward is illegal, even if recovered by the same player. It is illegal to knock the ball over a player in a forward direction and then to catch it.

Scrum
The scrumhalf must hold the ball with both hands with the major axis parallel to the ground and to the touchline (and in the middle, etc.)

The scrumhalf who is not throwing in the ball cannot set up on the opposite side. He or she must be either on the same side as the throw-in or behind the offside line (last foot).

If a scrum is stopped because of a collapse or lift without penalty, the scrum is reset with at the original place and the original put-in. Regardless of which team was in possession at the time of the stoppage.

Television Match Official
For those who are fortunate enough to be refereeing where a TMO is in use, the TMO may now be consulted with regard to the scoring of a try or a touchdown where foul play may be involved. This does not mean you can go running over to the proud father who is videotaping his kid play and have a look in his camcorder.

GUIDELINE CHANGES
There are four changes in the Guidelines on Application. Three are consequential; the fourth rectifies an administration omission.

Quick Penalties and Free Kicks at Scrums
The referee still will not make the mark for the penalty or free kick until the front-rows have disengaged. If they choose, the team receiving the penalty or free kick may take a quick tap before the mark is given. If they do so, the tap must be taken at the place called for in Law, or directly back from it. There will be no tolerance for taking the quick tap to the side of the piece. In this circumstance, the responsibility is on the team taking the quick tap to know where the mark should be. The referee has the option to prevent this at any time for safety or control reasons.

Pre-gripping at Line-outs
Supporters may pre-grip the jumper anywhere on the shorts. The jumper still must initiate the jump before support is provided. Once the jumper is up, the support may be on the thigh from the supporter in front and on the buttocks from behind. This was reinstated for safety reasons, and because it is common practice worldwide. The Guidelines Committee emphasizes that teams should continue to develop the skills necessary to support in a dynamic fashion (without pre-gripping), as this ability opens many tactical options not available when pre-gripping.

Receiver coming into the Line-out
The IRB ruled on this issue in late July. A receiver may run into a gap in the line-out to take the throw, and may be supported in that endeavor, but may not become a supporter for another player in the line-out who jumps for the ball.

Goal Post Padding
USARFU reinstated the padding requirement on all goal post. The padding must be at least two inches thick and must extend from the ground to a height of five feet on the posts. This directive was inadvertently dropped when the Laws were rewritten two years ago.