Quote: NickyKiss "Has there been a rule change around you playing the ball after the ref has shouted held?
Wilkin scored a try after Silverwood let Lance Hohaia go back and play the ball again rather then penalise him as I expected him to do.
And what the hell is that new rule where a defender needs to let the ball bounce over the dead ball line before collecting it or else they'll give a drop out away. Very strange.'"
Yep;
The following changes to Law will apply to all RFL games from December 26th, 2011.
Players carry on running or pass the ball after the referee has called “Held”.
Players often struggle to hear the referee call held in an upright tackle. The award of a penalty is often seen as harsh. To allow the team to retain possession and continue with a play the ball the following Law should be amended.
Amendment -Section 11 – Law 6: Verbal instructions to resolve doubt.
If any doubt arises as to a tackle, the Referee should give a verbal instruction to “play on” or shout “held” as the case may be. If the referee is of the opinion that the player in possession could not hear the “held” call before passing or running off with the ball he should instruct the player to play the ball at the point where the player was when “held” was called unless it occurs after the fifth play the ball in which case a handover will apply.
