Nigel Owens weighs in on controversial New Zealand viral rugby clip after ‘most bizarre try ever’
Nigel Owens weighs in on controversial New Zealand schoolboy viral rugby clip
Traditionally known for making the big calls on large scale professional matches, retired former referee Nigel Owens has been putting his keen eye to the world of amateur rugby this weekend.
The record breaking ref took his insights to X (formerly Twitter), as he looked into the validity of a try in the New Zealand schoolboy match between Marlborough Boys’ College and Nelson College.
The incident occurred when Marlborough Boys’ College second-row Finn Neal latched onto a sneaky kick from outside centre Anru Erasmus, touching down in the left hand corner.
The issue was, the attacking side were initially lining up a shot at goal in front of the posts, with the ball having already been placed on the kicking tee.
Nigel Owens’ verdict
The Marlborough Boys’ College star then deliberately kicked the ball to his winger, without making any clear attempt at goal – a clear piece of foul play in Owens‘ book.
“No try. You must make a genuine attempt to kick at goal before the try can be allowed to stand. This clearly wasn’t,” the 53-year-old said, before deciding that the play should have been brought back, stating: “PK void scrum.”
Try or No Try? 🤔
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Although the score would have been chalked off in hindsight, the reality was very different, with referee saying at the time: “He doesn’t contravene any law that I can think of, so it’s a try.”
It was “the most bizarre try you’ll ever see” according to commentator, Jeff McTainsh.
What the law says
One person asked: “Would that decision change if the player did not tell the ref he was going for goal? I know the presence of the tee suggests that he had done so but we don’t see the ref signalling that a kick is to be taken.”
This question was quickly resolved through Law 8.20: ‘If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal. The intention to kick can be communicated to the referee or signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground.’
The decision to award the try eventually made all the difference, with Marlborough Boys’ College narrowly beating their fierce rivals 28-26.
Many will remember Jonny Wilkinson’s famous cross-kick to Paul Sackey in the 2007 World Cup. The circumstances were different here though – no kick at the posts had been indicated by voice nor action.
