I was watching but not listening, would really like to know how he was played back onside? Didn't think it was possible, unless there's been a rule change? We've been pinged for it!
~c.
If he was close to the ruck area it used to be known as 'loitering in the ruck" completely illegal. Even if he was out a bit wider and was in front of the player playing the ball I don't think he can be put onside until there has been at least one tackle effected and he gets back behind the play the ball. Heck you cannot even take a kick for touch from a penalty or any sort of restart if a player from your own side is in front of you. When a player kicks the ball their teammates must be behind them or they will be called for offside if they interfere with the play.
https://www.nrl.com/siteassets/documents/2017-nrl-laws--interpretations.pdf
Offside: A player is offside if he has one foot (either on or off the ground) in front of a teammate who ‘last touches, is touched, held or kicked the ball’. Section 14 (1)
In relation to kick, an active offside player shall not encroach within ten metres of the ball, when there is an opponent waiting for the ball.
Active or Passive: Active is:
An offside player who takes part in and/or influences the course of the game. ( Which would be the case in the instance of the player scoring the try)
The rules state at all levels that all players of the team in possession have to be behind the dummy half except of course for the person playing the ball.
