I had a question about rules, so might as well post in here while you're all helpful



At what point after the tackle can the defenders start to advance? This year I've seen referees calling it differently, but if the defence are back 10 with the ref can they only start to advance once the player playing the ball has touched it with their foot or is it as soon as they are on their feet and start to attempt the play the ball?



Some referees I've watched seem to want to wait until the ball has been played at with the foot and is in the acting half's hands and call offside for moving early, others generally only blow for players that didn't bother getting back 10 at all and seem to let play continue if defenders start to run as the player bends to play the ball.



The rule book on the RFL site states only when the ball is clear of the ruck, but I haven't seen any team this season waiting for the ball to be passed or for the dummy half to start running to advance forward.

Who are you addressing here?

Calm down, no-one in particular, just the average fan who holds an opinionated voice about the rules without ever reading them, and/or their interpretation without ever trying to apply them.

I am calm, don't worry. I've taken the Match Officials course so I'm alright!

But that's not what the law says, it makes no distinction between deliberate and accidental and a referee cannot determine intent.

Because a deliberate drop would have to be played immediately (backwards) by the foot. A player accidentally dropping the ball will not have time or presence of mind to do this so it invariably won't be a correct PTB anyway.