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Wales Online
31-05-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 313 star Magomed Ankalaev breaks Ramadan fast after ‘pleading' for title fight to be moved
Magomed Ankalaev has explained his decision to break fast during Ramadan, while preparing for his UFC 313 title fight against Alex Pereira. In Saturday's main event in Las Vegas, Ankalaev will challenge Pereira for the light-heavyweight title. The bout marks the Russian's second title shot, after he fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw in December 2022 with the vacant belt on the line. Ankalaev has faced a complicated road back to a shot at the gold, with some fans feeling the UFC would rather have Pereira – an enigmatic knockout artist – as champion, instead of Ankalaev. Even the timing of the Russian's title shot has proven complicated for him. As a practising Muslim, Ankalaev has been observing Ramadan, which requires fasting between dawn and sunset from 28 February until 30 March this year. However, he has had to compromise due to his preparation for UFC 313. 'Yes, I have been following the fast to the letter,' Ankalaev told AG Fight, 'except this week, in which I will have to break the fast a few times, because I need to make sure I drink water to have a successful weight-cut. 'But other than that: I started together with Ramadan, I've been fasting, and after the fight obviously I will also follow the rules of the religion.' UFC fighters typically avoid fighting during or immediately after Ramadan, to minimise the physical effects on their bodies. However, it seems Ankalaev feared losing his long-awaited fight with Pereira if he said 'no' to competing during Ramadan. Speaking to Sky Sports NZ, the 32-year-old said: 'It was a really difficult decision, and we kind of pleaded with the UFC a little bit that maybe there's a possibility to hold it and move it to a different date and keep me as the No 1 contender. 'However, that's the decision they made, so we as a team had to make sure to understand: this is the type of opportunity we've been after for so long. For now, to let it go would not have been a good choice, so we decided that – even though it is the holy month for us – we have to jump on this opportunity and do the best with what we have.' Magomed Ankalaev pleaded with the UFC to move his fight to a different date due to Ramadan while keeping him as the No. 1 contender. 😲"It was a really difficult decision, and we kind of pleaded with the UFC a little bit that maybe there's a possibility to hold it and then move… — Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 6, 2025 Earlier this week, Pereira offered to make a bet with Ankalaev over the result of their main event, but Ankalaev refused, citing his religion's anti-gambling stance. Pereira, 37, has been in remarkable form since moving to the light-heavyweight division in 2023. That year, the Brazilian – who previously held the middleweight belt – outpointed Blachowicz then knocked out Jiri Prochazka to win the vacant 205lb title. Both men are former champions. Then, in 2024, Pereira knocked out Prochazka again, between stoppage wins over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Hill is also a former title holder. The victory over Rountree Jr in October marked Pereira's most recent bout. 'Poatan' overcame a slow start to produce a clinic as the fight wore on, ultimately stopping the American in round four.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 313 star Magomed Ankalaev breaks Ramadan fast after ‘pleading' for title fight to be moved
Magomed Ankalaev has explained his decision to break fast during Ramadan, while preparing for his UFC 313 title fight against Alex Pereira. In Saturday's main event in Las Vegas, Ankalaev will challenge Pereira for the light-heavyweight title. The bout marks the Russian's second title shot, after he fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw in December 2022 with the vacant belt on the line. Ankalaev has faced a complicated road back to a shot at the gold, with some fans feeling the UFC would rather have Pereira – an enigmatic knockout artist – as champion, instead of Ankalaev. Even the timing of the Russian's title shot has proven complicated for him. As a practising Muslim, Ankalaev has been observing Ramadan, which requires fasting between dawn and sunset from 28 February until 30 March this year. However, he has had to compromise due to his preparation for UFC 313. 'Yes, I have been following the fast to the letter,' Ankalaev told AG Fight, 'except this week, in which I will have to break the fast a few times, because I need to make sure I drink water to have a successful weight-cut. 'But other than that: I started together with Ramadan, I've been fasting, and after the fight obviously I will also follow the rules of the religion.' UFC fighters typically avoid fighting during or immediately after Ramadan, to minimise the physical effects on their bodies. However, it seems Ankalaev feared losing his long-awaited fight with Pereira if he said 'no' to competing during Ramadan. Speaking to Sky Sports NZ, the 32-year-old said: 'It was a really difficult decision, and we kind of pleaded with the UFC a little bit that maybe there's a possibility to hold it and move it to a different date and keep me as the No 1 contender. 'However, that's the decision they made, so we as a team had to make sure to understand: this is the type of opportunity we've been after for so long. For now, to let it go would not have been a good choice, so we decided that – even though it is the holy month for us – we have to jump on this opportunity and do the best with what we have.' Magomed Ankalaev pleaded with the UFC to move his fight to a different date due to Ramadan while keeping him as the No. 1 contender. 😲"It was a really difficult decision, and we kind of pleaded with the UFC a little bit that maybe there's a possibility to hold it and then move… — Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 6, 2025 Earlier this week, Pereira offered to make a bet with Ankalaev over the result of their main event, but Ankalaev refused, citing his religion's anti-gambling stance. Pereira, 37, has been in remarkable form since moving to the light-heavyweight division in 2023. That year, the Brazilian – who previously held the middleweight belt – outpointed Blachowicz then knocked out Jiri Prochazka to win the vacant 205lb title. Both men are former champions. Then, in 2024, Pereira knocked out Prochazka again, between stoppage wins over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Hill is also a former title holder. The victory over Rountree Jr in October marked Pereira's most recent bout. 'Poatan' overcame a slow start to produce a clinic as the fight wore on, ultimately stopping the American in round four.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
UFC 313 star Magomed Ankalaev breaks Ramadan fast after ‘pleading' for title fight to be moved
Magomed Ankalaev has explained his decision to break fast during Ramadan, while preparing for his UFC 313 title fight against Alex Pereira. In Saturday's main event in Las Vegas, Ankalaev will challenge Pereira for the light-heavyweight title. The bout marks the Russian's second title shot, after he fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw in December 2022 with the vacant belt on the line. Ankalaev has faced a complicated road back to a shot at the gold, with some fans feeling the UFC would rather have Pereira – an enigmatic knockout artist – as champion, instead of Ankalaev. Even the timing of the Russian's title shot has proven complicated for him. As a practising Muslim, Ankalaev has been observing Ramadan, which requires fasting between dawn and sunset from 28 February until 30 March this year. However, he has had to compromise due to his preparation for UFC 313. 'Yes, I have been following the fast to the letter,' Ankalaev told AG Fight, 'except this week, in which I will have to break the fast a few times, because I need to make sure I drink water to have a successful weight-cut. 'But other than that: I started together with Ramadan, I've been fasting, and after the fight obviously I will also follow the rules of the religion.' UFC fighters typically avoid fighting during or immediately after Ramadan, to minimise the physical effects on their bodies. However, it seems Ankalaev feared losing his long-awaited fight with Pereira if he said 'no' to competing during Ramadan. Speaking to Sky Sports NZ, the 32-year-old said: 'It was a really difficult decision, and we kind of pleaded with the UFC a little bit that maybe there's a possibility to hold it and move it to a different date and keep me as the No 1 contender. 'However, that's the decision they made, so we as a team had to make sure to understand: this is the type of opportunity we've been after for so long. For now, to let it go would not have been a good choice, so we decided that – even though it is the holy month for us – we have to jump on this opportunity and do the best with what we have.' Pereira, 37, has been in remarkable form since moving to the light-heavyweight division in 2023. The Brazilian, who previously held the middleweight belt, outpointed former champion Blachowicz before knocking out Jiri Prochazka – another former champ – to win the vacant 205lb title. Then, in 2024, he knocked out Prochazka again, between stoppage wins over Jamahal Hill – yet another ex-title holder – and Khalil Rountree Jr. The victory over Rountree Jr in October marked Pereira's most recent bout. 'Poatan' overcame a slow start to produce a clinic as the fight wore on, ultimately stopping the American in round four.
