Question on Rugby Rules?

Question

What happens when a ball carrier is pushed/tackled out-of-bounds in rugby union?

Answer 1

When you say rugby rules I take it you mean rugby laws?! There are no rules in rugby! If the ball goes out of play then the team that touched the ball last concedes a 'line-out' to the opposition (ie the team that DIDN'T play the ball last throws the ball in) in line with where the ball went out; there are exceptions to this however.

1: If the ball is kicked into touch (Out of play) from a penalty, then the team that kicked the penalty has the throw in.

2: If the ball is kicked directly into touch (Without bouncing in field) from outside the teams own 22m area, then the opposition throw the ball in from inline with where the kick was taken. This law does not apply if the kick was a penalty kick.

3: If the ball is deliberately thrown into touch, this is illegal and results in a penalty to the opposition not a lineout.

4: If the player holding the ball touches the touchline or beyond with any part of his body, but the ball is still in play, a lineout is awarded to the opposition where the player touched or crossed the line. (See Mark Cueto, Rugby World Cup Final 2007)

There are a couple of other exceptions, but these happen so rarely that they are not worth going into detail on.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Nothing. Didn't you see the World Cup final?

Jokes aside if the player is committed to the tackle it goes without punishment. However, if it is obvious that the infringement was malicious - a penalty would be awarded.

Answer 3

if someone is pushed/tackled out of play then play restarts with a 'line out' similar to a 'jump ball' in basketball.

There is no penalty or offense for running or tackling someone out of play.