Q: NRL Rule - The Tap

[Opes]

When a player taps the ball, (from a penalty kick to the sideline) is it compulsory for them to catch it?

I've seen it happen before and play on - why wasn't Hilder's Tap a play-on situation? He didn't touch it with his hands after the kick?

 

[Foz]

Not quite sure what you mean Opes. Do you mean when the ball boy or whoever throws the ball into the player to tap it-does he have to catch it?
The answer is no. (the ball is dead until he restarts play).
He does have to restart play with a tap or a kick.
I know what your getting at in this situation (I think) and you may have a point.
Mander might have ruled Hilder lost control of the ball but I didnt hear his ruling.
Most of the time when the ball goes more than a few feet forward they call it losing control of the ball. Its a ref's call.

 

[Special K]

It should have been play on but oh well. I think he earnt that knock on :lol:

 

[King of the Hill]

should have been play on but he deserved a knock-on

a deadset shocker!