Auckland Rugby League
Referees Association

International Rugby League Rule Changes 2008

1. Rule 1.2.1 - 20 Metre Re-Start:

bounces in the field of play and is not touched prior by any player from the kicking side a scrum will awarded at the appropriate place. The loose head and the feed to scrum will be awarded to the kicking side 20 metres in from where the ball bounced into touch.

2. Rule 6.8.1 - Free Kick:

Following a Penalty kick the subsequent Free kick will now taken 20 metres in field from the exit point over the touch line from the Penalty kick.

3. Rule 8.1 - Offside:

A player must have both feet behind the kicker from his team. The defending team must have both feet on the goal line when defending with 10 metres of the own goal line when the PTB has been commenced by the attacking team.

4. Rule 2.2.1 Handover:

On those occasions where the Referee has ruled a Handover and the attacking team (team that has the ball last) has committed an infringement (eg. Knock on) and is within 10 metres of the goal line and touch line then play with re-started at the point 10 metres from the same goal line and same touch line.

NB: 20/40 Rule:

If the ball is kicked by a player in general play from within his/her own 40-metre line (behind the line) and bounces in to touch in his/her opponents' 20-metre area, then the kicking team shall receive the loose head and feed at the resultant scrum.

This rule will only be applied where official Touch Judges have been appointed. Alternatively, the “Zero Tackle” rule from a kick in general play will be played in any other situations.