What is a collapsing maul in rugby?

Answer 1

When the ball carrier is help to their feet by the opposing team a maul is formed. The idea of the maul for the defending team to turn the ball carrier to face the defending sides mauling players and to attempt to "rip" the ball from the attacking carrier. The maul may move in either direction during this as side fight for ball possession. If a the maul is moving toward the defending side and a defending player trips an attacker or falls to the ground causing the maul to fall over them (collapsing) then the attacking side is awarded a penalty