Maul

A moving contest for the ball involving the ball carrier and at least one player from each team, all on their feet.

What it says

A maul forms when the ball carrier is held by an opponent, and at least one more player from each team binds on, with everyone staying on their feet. Unlike a ruck, the ball is held in hand rather than on the ground, and the whole unit can move forward as a group.

Why it exists

The maul lets a team keep driving forward with the ball in hand after contact, rather than being forced to release it to ground immediately. It rewards forward power and organisation, particularly off lineouts, and gives attacking teams a genuine way to grind out territory close to the try line.

In practice

The maul can be pushed forward as a unit, and the ball can be shifted through hands within it as long as it stays off the ground. If the maul stops moving forward and the ball isn't available, the referee will call it and eventually award a scrum if nothing changes. Deliberately collapsing a maul, or bringing it down illegally, is a penalty, since it's a serious safety concern with players bound together and off balance.

Common confusions

A maul only exists once a second player from each team has bound onto the ball carrier while everyone stays upright. One attacker being held by one defender is still just a tackle situation, not a maul. If the maul goes to ground, it usually turns into a ruck instead, with different rules for who can play the ball.

Last checked against the official law book: 2026-08-24