So - checked the rules and can't find a direct reference to a player having to be "behind" "the ball" in general play. I found a reference to "both feet" being "behind", and a reference to defending players not advancing in front of the ball at kick-offs and 20m restarts. I found it difficult to cross-refer so I might have missed something. Anyone help with a more straightforward wording in the rules somewhere?

OFF SIDE as applied to a player means that he is temporarily out of play and may be penalised if he joins in the game (see Section 14.)

KICK means imparting motion to the ball with any part of the leg (except the heel) from knee to toe inclusive.

BEHIND when applied to a player means, unless otherwise stated, that both feet are behind the position in question. Similarly “in front” implies “with both feet”. When applied to a position on the field of play, “behind” means nearer to one’s own goal line than the point in question. Similarly “in front of” means nearer to one’s opponents’ goal line.

OUT OF PLAY: 10. (h) Any player who is in front of the kicker in play-the-ball general play is not permitted to advance beyond the point of the play-the-ball until the ball has gone past the off side player.

SECTION 8 - THE KICK OFF AND DROP-OUT

The ball may be kicked in any manner and in any direction and is immediately in play. Opposing players shall retire ten metres from the 20m line and shall not advance until the ball has been kicked. Defending players shall not advance in front of the ball before it is kicked. Any deliberate offence by either team shall incur a penalty to be awarded at the centre of the 20m line.

Correct. In all my years watching and playing rugby, I have never heard the question asked "is the runner behind the ball" in relation to being off side it is simply a question of staying behind the kicker. It seems that Mr Bentham may have invented a new interpratation of this rule.

, the problem is though, I am not surprised.

Worst camera work i have seen for a final.Kept going to the camera in the sky for no apparent reason.Tried to copy the Aussie grand final presentation but i am afraid it didn't work.And why does Phil Clark have to babble on and on,all we want from him is common sense summaries.

The camera in the sky was shocking as some of its vision was constantly blocked by the roof structure.



As for Phil Clarke, I actually like the guy and value his contribution and knowlege, but where he let's himself down is when he tries to copy the Aussie presentation. He tries desprately to be a UK version of Gus Gould, but ends up making himself look stupid.

Couldn't agree more. I almost turned over due to the camera work. AWFUL. That plus Barry and Terry after every try on camera giving pointless analysis.

Sky boobed for me last night. Eastmonds try would have looked so much better with the usual camera angle and not the moving camera from the back of the stand.



As for the vid decision at the end, with the exception of Bentham and Bighead it has made the RL look stupid. Is it any wonder that Soccer do not want video ref when we can't get simple decisions correct. It has happened far too often this season and I am starting to question the honesty of the sport.

For me Smiths try was spot on and the VR got it right

that sky track camera angle is crap just like it was last year. i find it hard to tell where on the field they are when they use that shot, i remember in the past james graham scoring and not having a clue how close hewas until he was going under the posts. the blimp shot was used far too often as well.



and while i'm at it... why did they keep showing mcdermott from an angle that showed the thousands of empty seats in the away end? no other sport would allow that when the majority of the rest of the stadiums pretty full

and the ball was kicked by mcguires foot, part of one of smiths team members

Well i enjoyed my day out!

Does that mean Rob Burrow's nose was offside for the whole match?

This was best demonstrated by Smith's 'try'. They'd been going to the helicopter shot all night for no apparent reason, then, the one time they need the frigging thing to see if Smith is offside, the view is obscured by the roof.

That's you, Bighead and some of the Rhinos fans, then