4 days ago
Nigel Owens' verdict on controversial schoolboy try
A controversial try scored just before halftime in a South Island schoolboy rugby match has drawn global attention and a firm ruling from former international referee Nigel Owens.
Marlborough Boys' College scored a 28-26 win over Nelson College, but it was a moment just before the break that has become the biggest talking point of the match.
Lining up a penalty from right in front of the posts after informing the referee they were taking the kick, Marlborough centre Anru Erasmus instead nudged the ball towards the touchline to his teammate Finn Neal, who scored.
The Nelson side were huddled under the posts expecting a straightforward penalty to be kicked.
After a brief period of discussion with one of his assistants, the referee awarded the try.
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"He doesn't contravene any law that I can think of, so it's a try," he said.
Commentator Jeff McTainsh called the incident "the most bizarre try you'll ever see".
In a post to X, the Welsh ex-international referee Owens looked into the legality of the try.
"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, adding that the play should have been brought back.
"PK void scrum."
World Rugby Law 8.20 said: "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."
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The moment has caused plenty of discussion, with the UK's Daily Telegraph and Planet Rugby covering the try.
