Is it a knock on when.... : Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:11 pm  

Is it a knock on when the ball hits a players head?

I believe it is but my dad doesn't. We had the discussion last night at the Cas match but watching the Cardiff v Toulouse RU they have just said it is NOT a knock on in RU if it hits a players head.

I seem to recall the law was changed in the late 80's when St Helens had a 12ft tall second rower (Harrison I think his name was?) who headed the ball over the line and St's scored a try????

Can anyone help?

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:12 pm  

Nope,

not a knock on if it comes off the head/face.

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:20 pm  

If he purposely knocks the ball forward via his head or whatever then it's deemed a forward pass/knock on

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:26 pm  

its not a knock on

but it is a falcon

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:27 pm  

Jesus Of Suburbia wrote:

If he purposely knocks the ball forward via his head or whatever then it's deemed a forward pass/knock on

I recall that the rule was brought in many years ago when a player began to use his head to deliberately butt the ball forward, instead of kicking a grubber. I think the offending player was an Ireland international RU hooker, but I may be wrong.

[Wheels]

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:41 pm  

Saints had a 12ft second rower?

[Sadfish]

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:18 pm  

It was a saints player who did it, he headed the ball forward and regathered to score a try, it was outlawed soon after.

Some time in the 80s iirc.

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:37 pm  

Sadfish wrote:

It was a saints player who did it, he headed the ball forward and regathered to score a try, it was outlawed soon after.

Some time in the 80s iirc.

Yhe OP is correct - it was John Harrison. He held the ball up to his head in both hands and nutted it forward for George Mann (if I recall) to score. I also think it was one of Mike McClennan's moves.

[Sadfish]

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:38 pm  

MickeyMo wrote:

Yhe OP is correct - it was John Harrison. He held the ball up to his head in both hands and nutted it forward for George Mann (if I recall) to score. I also think it was one of Mike McClennan's moves.

Indeed, my memory isnt what is used to be, I could remember it was a john who did it, and that was it.

Geez you'd thinki I looked after Saints history or summat..

nightmare.

: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:44 pm  

there was a try in the challenge cup recently that accidentally came off someones face, went to the VR and was given

the key is intention, similar to a charge down kick can be difficult to judge