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I think that this whole discussion comes down to the word "withdraw". If the NF were to give us the definition of that word or use different wording then we would all be sure about this one. Obviously there are two sides to this and there should never be a situation in trying to apply simple rules such as substitution that 50% are on each side of the question. I agree that this 11 player never stopped being a player as he was not substituted for. However I would say that he "withdrew" from the field. The thing is he didn't return as a substitute because he can't replace himself. 3-7-4
I was always under the impression from my playing days that a player couldn't leave the field between plays and come back on. That was just how my coach applied the rules.
We all know that there are 11 players for each team at all times. We also know that only 11 players are allowed in the huddle. How often do you have 20 players in a huddle at the sideline after a try or during a timeout? Those are fouls too. I wouldn't call them but they are fouls.
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