Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 8. ADVANTAGE
The referee shall not whistle for an infringement during play which is followed by an advantage gained by the non-offending team. An advantage must be either territorial or such possession of the ball as constitutes an obvious tactical advantage. A mere opportunity to gain advantage is not sufficient.
Notes:- (i) The referee is given a wide discretion as to what constitutes an advantage and is not limited to a territorial advantage. The referee is the sole judge of whether an advantage has been gained.
(ii) Neither team may gain an advantage from the following circumstances:-
(a) when the ball or a player carrying it touches the referee (Law 9(1));
(b) when the ball emerges from either end of the tunnel at a scrummage not having been played (Law 20, note (xiv)).
(iii) When any irregularity of play not provided for in the Laws occurs, a scrummage shall be formed where the irregularity occurred. In deciding which team should put in the ball, the referee should apply Law 20(7).
