Clarification 1-2020

Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Request

Law 8.14 states “All players retire to their goal line and do not overstep that line until the kicker begins the approach to kick. When the kicker does this, they may charge or jump to prevent a goal but must not be physically supported by other players in these actions”.

NZ Rugby would like clarification regarding what it means to “begin to approach to kick”.

In a recent Super Rugby Aotearoa game a conversion was charged down (Crusader v Blues, round 5 SR Aotearoa, 55.35). The Crusaders player began charging as the kicker stepped back as part of his kicking routine, before moving forward to the ball.

The typical interpretation from many refs is as soon as kicker moves in any direction the kick can begin to be charged but this is not how the law reads as stepping back does not mean the same as approach.

NZ Rugby is interested in a definitive law clarification that all referees can use at any level of the game.

Clarification of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

The Referee’s interpretation in this example was correct. The moment the kicker moves in any direction it is deemed that he is ‘approaching to kick’. The reason for this interpretation is simplicity, otherwise the referee would have to judge when the kicker first moves, and in what direction. It would also be open to misinterpretation by players, match officials and spectators.