Why some rugby players kick or even step on those who lying on the ground?

Question

Some players deliberately kick or even step on those who lying on the ground in a RUCK, but in most of the cases nobody claims! Even the judge doesn't say anything.

Answer 1

Technical Answer:  as long as your boot is moving from the inside to the outside, or back, of the scrum it is legal.  Such as when you are trying to scoot the ball out. If your boot is coming into the scrum with your foot flexed and you are diliberately stomping, not legal.

Players answer:  I've stepped on my own teammates before.  It happens.  Why do you think you are supposed to place the ball towards your team?  Why do you think you see players covering their heads on the ground?  I know men's rugby is a little bit different, so disregard, but in women's rugby, intentional raking isn't tolerated.  It's not a part of our game.  Things happen, but if you you are on a team that prides themselves on seeking out and injuring your opponents, you create a bad reputation for your team and no one will want to add you to their non-league schedule.  Bottom line it takes away from the game.

Answer 2

often players only accidentally step on those and are simply trying to kick the ball out.  But u r right,  there are lots of occasions when ppl are kicked intentionally.  really, there is nothing u can do about it.  players on the ground are advised simply to get up and out of the way FAST! also, in rucks it is so confusing that it is dificult to tell if someone kicked u on purpose, or even if the kick was from the other team

Answer 3

don't go to the ground if you are afraid of someone's foot.  It happens to me so it happens to others.  Or at least it did back when I played.

Answer 4

Because the person who is lying on the ground might be trying to kill the play of the ball in the ruck or maul.And usaully those who put them selves in that predicament usually know what to expect.... by being rucked off the ball, And 9 time's out of 10 they themselves are deemed off side..............;D

Answer 5

It happens, and in some cases it's quite legal. For instance, it's quite legal to rake somebody out of the way in a ruck. Even if it wasn't the ref would never see it, we're clever enough to make sure he doesn't.

As a prop, and one of the blokes who's supposed to be first into every ruck and maul, I get on the receiving end almost every match, and the reason we don't complain, whether it was legal, reckless or someone was trying to stamp your eyes out, is that we're taught to get up and get on with the game if at all possible, unlike football players who roll around on the ground at the slightest touch.

We do complain sometimes, but usually only if it was a stamp or kick in open play or a rake to the face, otherwise even the person who got hit rarely cares that much. It looks painfull, but in the heat of the match the adrenaline is such you don't feel much.

Answer 6

If I am the one on the wrong side of play I expect to get raked. If a player is the way, and slowing the pace of the game down most refs do allow a bit of assistance. In the states it is becoming harder to give a "boot" because they think someone is being malicious in their attempt to clear the ball. If you go over seas it is just part of the game, and yes if you watch most women's games they do not throw the boots because of their fragile nature. They feel that they are being mean or dirty, when in fact most of the harder girls that play, do dirty things until you remind them stop. Often times you will see that is why the pace of the game is a bit slower in developing, but having been a women's coach for several years, once you teach the girls how to do it, it does not become a dirty word anymore, but a good tool in the bag of tricks.

Answer 7

It's a vicious game. The ball or the fall.

Answer 8

whoever kicks anyone in a ruck is clever..they always look at the referee first to see if he is in a position to see that it is foul play....it is wrong but it is done to intimidate the opponent..dirty play also needs skill....!

Answer 9

Its enevitable that, like in life, in sports, some people are just a******s, it rugby they stand on you, in field hockey they hit the ball at your knees diliberately, in baseball they slide into fielders ankles.  Its bad that some coaches are teaching kids to play this way, its just dirty tactics.

Answer 10

Because they are bad losers, and don't display good sportsmanship.

Answer 11

..........its fun! you see a guy there and think well ill have some of that, lift, stamp and drag. no no, kiddin that was terrible. well i dont mind it really, more bruises the better methinks. heard of jpr williams? the crazy welshman? well in a match against new zealand a prop accidentally stood on his face, tearing a massive gash in his cheek so you could see right the way through. like you could look from one side and see out the other. and to prove his legendary hardness, like he has done MANY times in the past (if you ask me ill tell ya), he walks straight off the pitch with a gaping hole in his cheek, and being a trained surgeon, he stitches it back up by himself and goes back on to finish the match. now i stand in black, true all black, and you got to admire that. and later ill tell you all about the battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium, and the 99 call, one of the most violent crazy bloody (and funny) moments in rugby history.