Clarification 3-2005

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Request

The FPR has requested a ruling with regard Law 21-Penalty & Free Kicks

Black team are penalised for a tackle infringement 30 metres from their goal line; Blue team opt for a kick at goal, placing the ball on the mark and informing the referee as to this intention. Black team gather behind their
goal posts. Blue team kicks (chips) the ball forward a few metres from the mark, allowing for an on-side team member to gather the ball and run unhindered across the goal line to score a try.

1. Law 21.5(b) states that ‘If the kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, the kicker must kick at goal. Once the kicker has made the intention clear, there can be no change of the intention. The referee may enquire of the kicker as to the intention.’ Does this mean that the abovementioned scenario is illegal, and if so how would the referee restart the match? Can the interpretation of Law 21.5(b) be that once the kicker has made his intention to kick at goal clear, he may not then change his intention by then kicking to touch, taking a tap kick and passing or running with the ball himself? If this is correct then the abovementioned situation is legal and the referee should award a try.

Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

The abovementioned scenario is illegal, and the referee would order a scrum at the place of the original penalty, with the put in to the black team.