The Advantage Law in Rugby

The Advantage Law in Rugby is one of the key elements in achieving continuity which is one of the underlying principles of the game.  As participants in the game everyone is striving for greater continuity, more ball in play time and less stoppages which combine to make the game more enjoyable for the players as well as the spectators. 

Each week we see different Advantage being played in many different ways.  The opinions of players, coaches, referees, spectators, commentators are many and varied on the way individual officials apply the Advantage Law.

One of the keys to success in playing Advantage is to recognize the circumstances of each situation and apply the Advantage Law appropriately.  It is also important to understand the Advantage Law and its application.  The Law defines Advantage as being either territorial or tactical.  Territorial means that the non offending team has gained ground.  Tactical Advantage means that the non offending team has the freedom to play the ball using their option of choice.  Generally territorial Advantage is early to recognise.  This is not always the case with tactical Advantage.  This is where the skill of the referee and their ability to understand and read the game becomes important.

Before playing Advantage the referee must firstly recognize that there has been an infringement and determine whether or not that infringement has had an effect on the play (game).  If there is no effect on the play then the referee should allow play to continue.  If there is an effect on the game then the referee has to decide whether or not to play Advantage. 

Often we see a referee immediately signal/call Advantage as soon as an infringement occurs and then in many cases immediately blow the whistle to award the scrum or penalty. A better practice might be to recognize and acknowledge the infringement (e.g. knock on Blue, offside Red), take a moment to determine whether Advantage can be played and then either call and signal Advantage or award the scrum or penalty. 

In determining whether or not Advantage can be played the referee should take into account the following:

1. Did the non infringing team get the ball:
a. YES - consider Advantage,
b. NO - play the infringement.

2. Does the non infringing team have time and space to play the ball as they wish or are they under pressure when they get the ball:
a. Have time and space – play Advantage
b. Under pressure – play the infringement

The referee may also take into account the skill level of the team, the temper of the match and the type of infringement.  In some circumstances the referee may decide that the infringement should be dealt with immediately and therefore Advantage is not played. This is most likely to occur when there has been a foul play infringement (e.g. high or dangerous tackle).

Are there different considerations depending on whether it is Penalty Kick, Free Kick or Scrum Advantage?

• PK Advantage – Opportunity to score points (Penalty Goal v possible Try), kick for touch and line-out throw, opportunity to relieve pressure.
•  FK Advantage - Ten metres of space, or the time to set up a structured phase, or the chance to clear with a solid tactical kick
• Scrum Advantage - Possession equivalent to a clean scrum win at the place of infringement. Similar defensive pressures, similar attacking options, similar time and space, similar ball availability.

The skill of the referee to recognise and apply all of these factors will determine how Advantage is played in each circumstance.  The key to playing Advantage is to recognise the circumstances of each situation and apply Advantage appropriately.  In some instances (e.g. Scrum advantage), the referee might call Advantage over quickly as the team has gained good clear possession with time and space.  On the other hand (e.g. Penalty Advantage) the referee might allow a longer time before determining whether Advantage has been gained due to the opportunity to score points.. 

Finally, the application of Advantage can add considerably to the playing of the game and the Continuity of play.  Referees are encouraged to recognise when it can be played and then apply this Law to the fullest. 

Kim Lees
ARU Referee Education Manager