WATCH: Sevens stars superbly exploit loopholes in rugby’s laws in Sydney

Jared Wright
Seven stars Jaiden Baron and Guillermo Lijtenstein showed off their rugby knowledge this weekend in Sydney, resulting in tries for South Africa and Uruguay. New Zealand's men's and women's sides were victorious in Sydney, but we picked out two moments of intelligent rugby from two players.

Seven stars Jaiden Baron and Guillermo Lijtenstein showed off their rugby knowledge this weekend in Sydney, resulting in tries for South Africa and Uruguay respectively.

New Zealand’s men’s and women’s sides were victorious in Australia, but it was two moments of intelligent rugby from those players which really stood out.

Clever kick

South Africa defeated Ireland 26-12 in the quarter-finals, with Baron’s try sealing the victory for the Blitzboks.

Whether the speedster’s exploitation of rugby’s touch-in goal laws was intentional or not, it was officiated perfectly.

The South African took a penalty quickly from his own 22 and kicked ahead. He brilliantly toed the ball on before doing so again and diving on the ball to score.

Baron was out of the field of play for his last kick but managed to kick the ball on before it crossed the line.

In World Rugby’s 18.1.b, states: “The ball is in touch or touch-in-goal when: A player, who is already touching the touchline, touch-in-goal line or anything beyond, catches or holds the ball. If the ball has reached the plane of touch when it is caught, the catcher is not deemed to have taken the ball into touch. If the ball has not reached the plane of touch when it is caught or picked up, the catcher is deemed to have taken the ball into touch, regardless of whether the ball was in motion or stationary.”

Using your head

Meanwhile, Uruguay’s Lijtenstein set up a try for Valentin Grille in the 13th place play-off against Spain.

From a kick-off, Spain tapped the ball back towards their own line, and Lijtenstein charged after the ball, heading it forward before kicking it on.

He regathered the ball and offloaded to Grille to finish off the try.

World Rugby’s law on a knock only mentions it occurring from the arm and hand of a player. Therefore, it was not deemed to have been a knock-on.

The officials might have called it back if they wished as under law 9 it could be deemed avoiding a tackle or poor sportsmanship.

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