another Rugby question from Jayne

[joggerjayne]

As you guys are proving to be so technically knowledgeable (nice contrast with the Football section) ...

The touch lines (the sides, not the ends) are abour 3" wide.

So where is the legal touchline?

On the inside edge of the line (so the touchline is in touch)?

On the outside edge of the touchline (so the touchline is in play)?

Or down the middle of the line.

(none of the Officials in the England v South Africa World Cup Final seemed to know the how touch lines work!)

[BigDave44]

Jayne, as in cricket, the line belongs to the referee/umpire.

[sarumite]

Hi Jayne .. bigDave is of course correct but officially ....

LAW 23. The ball is in touch when it is not being carried by a player and it touches a touch line or the ground or a person or object on or beyond it, or

when it is being carried by a player and it or the player carrying it touches a touch line or the ground beyond it.

[BigDave44]

A consequence of the rule outlined by sarumite is that if the ball crosses the line in the air and is brought back into play before touching the ground or being touched by someone who is themselves in contact with the ground, then it stays in play. This is not true in football.

[joggerjayne]

Thank you.

You guys are going to be good for me to learn more rugby stuff.

I am trying !!!!!

I'm going to adopt a team, but I'll post a thread for that.

[SeaJayPea]

During the last World Cup Final, Mark Cueto of England was on his way for a try running down the left wing. His left foot just, and I mean only just, touched the line and the try was disallowed.
So, as Sarumite pointed out, it's not just the ball that goes into touch if it touches the line, it's the man carrying it.
All too sadly this was a correct decision by the referees/touch judges and England lost the game

[joggerjayne]

Well, if he really did touch the line, then it was the right decision.