Latest news with #NigelOwens
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.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Watch: This innovative schoolboy try is dividing opinion – should it stand?
Who would have expected a 'try' in a New Zealand schoolboy match between Marlborough Boys' College and Nelson College to go viral, globally. But then the nature of it was so unusual it had record-breaking referees and armchair experts alike weighing in. In the clip shared by Sky Sports NZ, you can see that with the attacking side, Marlborough, lining up a shot at goal when the kicker clips the ball off the tee to the far left of the field, where a team-mate is waiting on the wing. With the ball rolling into the in-goal area, the Marlborough attacker can touch down while the opposition try to scramble out from under their own posts. The try was given by the match officials. Try or No Try? 🤔 Gotta love schoolboy rugby! First XV Rugby LIVE with #SkySportNZ — Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) May 29, 2025 Debate has raged since, on the validity of the score. Former international referee Nigel Owens – who has overseen 100 Test matches – waded in online, posting on X: 'No try. You must make a genuine attempt to kick at goal before the try can be allowed to stand. This clearly wasn't.' Owens then added, in response to another user querying what the sanction should be, he replied 'PK [penalty kick] void scrum.' The point continually raised is whether once indicating to shoot for the posts, you must go for the posts. According to World Rugby's law book, under rule 8.20, it says: '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.' Some have hailed the ingenuity of the play, however. You may see echoes of the moment at the 2007 World Cup, when England were playing Tonga. Jonny Wilkinson had the ball on the spot where the referee signalled a penalty, when he spotted space in front of Paul Sackey. Kicking crossfield, the winger raced to touch down and earn England another try. Back then, however, Wilkinson had not told the officials he would go for goal and there was no signal.
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes Rugby Club 50th dinner with Nigel Owens
A 'true legend of Welsh rugby' has been announced as the guest speaker for Llanidloes Rugby Club's 50th anniversary gala dinner. Renowned former international referee Nigel Owens will be at The Clubhouse on Saturday, June 7, for an evening of guaranteed fun and entertainment marking half a century of Llanidloes Rugby Club. The Welsh national treasure oversaw some of the biggest games in rugby during his 17-year career, from Heineken Cup finals to Lions tours, 100 test matches and the Rugby World Cup final, adding his unique take and humour to each game. A regular on Welsh language television, Owens is a renowned speaker as well as running his own farm in west Wales. Llanidloes Rugby Club said the event, which starts at 7pm, 'promises to be an unforgettable night for the club and community". Tickets, costing £50 each, are now available to buy but will be offered first to those who have already expressed interest with the Club.
