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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Bizarre schoolboy try leaves viewers at odds as Nigel Owens enters the debate
Bizarre schoolboy try leaves viewers at odds as Nigel Owens enters the debate The referee didn't see anything wrong with it, so Nigel Owens has provided clarity on the situation. This was the moment lock Finn Neal dotted down. (Image: Sky Sports NZ ) Welsh referee Nigel Owens has weighed in on the debate around a controversial schoolboy rugby try that is doing the rounds on social media. The try was scored by Marlborough Boys' College against rivals Nelson College, with Anru Erasmus simply kicking his penalty along the ground and towards the left side of the try line. From there, his team-mate Finn Neal surged after the ball and duly dotted down for a strange score. The Nelson players were still huddled under the posts when the trickery was produced. The try was awarded by the referee, who did not recognise any foul play. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It doesn't contravene any law that I can think of, so it's a try," he said. Commentator Jeff McTainsh branded the incident "the most bizarre try you'll ever see". However, Owens has now correctly pointed out that this play was indeed illegal. Commenting underneath the viral footage, Owens wrote: "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 west Walian was then asked what the sanction would be in that scenario, confirming the penalty kick would be void and it would be a free-kick to Nelson. Watch the clip below. Content cannot be displayed without consent Debate has been in full flow on X, formerly Twitter. "Interesting debate .. tough decision to make, as this basically never comes up, therefore isn't coached. And the law isn't that clear. Feel for both Andrew and Nelson College here," wrote one. "Ball is in play, it's a try," commented another. Many others were quick to discount this argument though. Following the intervention of Owens, one viewer 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." The explicit wording of the rulebook provides clarity on this. As per World Rugby: "If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal. Article continues below "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." That try gave Marlborough a 15-5 lead going into the sheds for half-time, and they would go on to win the match 28-26, with the points from that try proving crucial in their victory.
1News
4 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
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. ADVERTISEMENT "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." ADVERTISEMENT The moment has caused plenty of discussion, with the UK's Daily Telegraph and Planet Rugby covering the try.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Nigel Owens gives verdict on the viral schoolboy Tiktok try that's dividing the internet
Legendary referee Nigel Owens has given his verdict on the ruling of a controversial schoolboy try that has since divided the internet. In a match between Marlborough Boys' College and Nelson College in New Zealand, Marlborough centre Anru Erasmus lined up a penalty from directly in front after informing the referee they were taking the shot at the posts. But instead of kicking the ball at the posts, Erasmus chipped off the kicking tee towards the left corner, with teammate Finn Neal latching onto the ball uncontested and touching down for a simple try. The try was awarded after the referee saw that the trick play did not break any rules, and went on to prove the difference, with Marlborough coming out 28-26 victors. However, Owens has since rightly hit back at the decision to let the score stand, which did in fact go against the rulebook. 'No try,' Owens said on X. 'You must make a genuine attempt to kick at goal before the try can be allowed to stand. This clearly wasn't.' He then added that the penalty should have been voided, with a scrum taking place instead. World Rugby states in its laws that, under rule 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.' Owens is obviously in a position to know, having refereed at the highest level of the game, including the Rugby World Cup final in 2015.
