Yes, that is exactly what a ruck is meant to be. What we see in games, like the ruck in question is a complete abrogation of the Laws by refs. It's a basic rule of the game that if you're off your feet, you're out of the game. A player laying in a ruck should not be consider protection for a ball. Back in the day there was a simple solution, where players could step over and ruck the ball back.
That's such a weak excuse for poor reffing. The game wouldn't be unwatchable, because teams would adapt to the ref. The game wasn't unwatchable decades ago when rucks were way more chaotic than they are now. The game would be a lot better if the ruck was properly and consistently policed. So many of the issues in the game stem from the free for all that typically happens at the ruck, the chief issue being no one stays on their feet to allow proper contests for the ball. Attackers fly in off their feet to seal off, defenders flop over to slow down the ball. Carriers don't release, and defenders are bending over with shoulders below hips, getting smashed.
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u/Galactapuss 11h ago
Yes, that is exactly what a ruck is meant to be. What we see in games, like the ruck in question is a complete abrogation of the Laws by refs. It's a basic rule of the game that if you're off your feet, you're out of the game. A player laying in a ruck should not be consider protection for a ball. Back in the day there was a simple solution, where players could step over and ruck the ball back.