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Sealing not bridging the ruck

We play a team that does not contest the ruck very often so we seal the ruck by positioning our first Rucker over the tackled player and holding on to his shirt with Wright on feet and butt down. Second guy comes in a no connects with first and seal the ball until it is removed. We have been blown up for bridging when we have no hands on ground or weight forward. Anyone have any ideas On how to explain to the ref we are sealing not bridging??
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gary jonesCoach, United States of America

2 answers

ANSWERS

richard Coach, England

By holding the tackled player you could be seen to not be supporting your own body weight.Try the first player dominating the space by stepping over the tackled player with one foot the second player can now do the same to the left/right.This will form a two man front row. If the oppostion tried to counter ruck a third player can come over to support he joins to form a triangle.I havent seen anyone get penalised for bridging if there still on there feet holding there own player. Hope it helps
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phil cambridgeCoach, England

Hi Gary,sealing off is illegal, thats why you are getting blown. It used to be a tactic so that if you were counter rucked you could pull the player on the ground back. Not been allowed for some years now. The ball in the ruck must be available to be failry competed for. Bridging is ok until the opposition make it a ruck then its hands off the floor. Its nothing to do with supporting weight or off the feet, Sealing off is illegal. Simple as that.Richards advise is spot on, make the ruck long as possible to avoid counters.

Cheers

Phil Cambridge, Yorkshire Referees Society and coach at York RUFC