The Blocking Maul

Starting position

A five-metre lineout, blue ball, and a maul built to imprison rather than to advance. The blues win it and shape up to drive. That is when the 4 and the 7 do the dirty work: instead of pushing, they grab the red defenders and lock them into the maul. The defence cannot get out, so it cannot defend. While the reds are trapped, the 8 hits a crossing line at full pace, the 2 crosses with him and scores in a channel nobody is guarding any more. Then comes the question, and it is the whole play: for many referees, holding a defender in the maul is obstruction, and obstruction is a penalty. If the whistle stays silent, it is a beautiful try. You decide.