Referees Society of Virginia

7s: 50/22, and GLDO

Folks: This will seem bizarre, but there has been a big conflict in the law trials and the 50/22 and the goal line dropout (GLDO) as they apply to 7s. Basically:

1. The lawbook (online) shows that the 50/22 and GLDO apply for both 15s and 7s. That’s the way it was played in tournaments after last Summer (Xmas 7s, UofR 7s, etc.).
2. However, this is wrong, based on a World Rugby memo (09/10/2021) that (a) no one had seen until recently and (b) cannot be located online. [“No one” = inside or outside of the RSV from what we can determine (at least regionally, if not beyond).]
3. Even though this is a World Rugby memo, they NEVER fixed the applicable online laws. That’s supposed to happen sometime soon. [Insert cursing here.]
4. Thus, the 50/22 and the GLDO do not apply to 7s.

This has been verified by MARR.

Hurdling/jumping over a tackler

Law clarification: a ball carrier cannot hurdle/jump over a tackler attempting to make a low tackle. A ball carrier may dive to score a try (as long as they are not jumping over a tackler). They can be tackled during this process.

See https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/clarification/2022/3/