Quote: tim2 "OK, so what happens if the ball is lying in the in-goal area? Are you suggesting the player has to pick it up before grounding it again? The ball is nevr in the control of the player in this case. Yes, some of the tries given are arguable either way but changing a fundamental law of the game ain't going to solve that one.'"
If the ball is lying in the in-goal area it should be 'properly' grounded with control . Palm of the hand on the ball (control and downward pressure)is sufficient in my opinion , no need to pick it up first .
One example could be Sinfield yesterday .
If he had touched it with one fingertip it would be classed as downward pressure, but with no control whatsoever .
The Catalans player had considerably more downward pressure and control over the ball .
I'd award that try even if Sinfield had brushed his fingers on the top of the ball first .
Did it go to VR to see if Sinfield actually grounded it ?
Seen a few VR decisions for tries where the attacking player has been stopped just short of the line and stretched out an arm in an attempt to get the ball over . Player loses control of the ball , but has fingertips on it (sometimes on the side of the ball) as it touches the floor . Try given . Not in my book .