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Wales Online
8 hours 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.
Telegraph
2 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.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
New Zealand Rugby issue statement after teenager dies in 'freak accident' during game
New Zealand Rugby issue statement after teenager dies in 'freak accident' during game The 19-year-old died in hospital after suffering a 'serious head injury' New Zealand Rugby have stepped in following the death of Ryan Satterthwaite (Image: Clive Rose - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images ) New Zealand Rugby have issued a statement after a teenager died in what his family says was a "freak accident" while playing a rugby-style tackling game. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died in hospital on Monday after suffering a "serious head injury" while playing a game of 'run it straight' with friends in the city of Palmerston North. The game - which has recently gone viral online - sees two players, one with a ball and the other the tackler, charge at each other at full speed with no protective gear, in order to try and knock each other down. While it has been played casually in Australia and New Zealand for years, videos of the game have recently clocked up tens of millions of views on TikTok and Instagram and has been endorsed by some professional rugby players. Official tournaments have also been held, with one such event - the Runit Championship League - being held in Auckland earier this month, with a prize of around $20,000 up for grabs. Now, New Zealand Rugby have stepped in to not only extend its condolences to Mr Satterthwaite, but urge others not to take part in the viral challenge. 'New Zealand Rugby extends heartfelt condolences to Ryan Satterthwaite's whānau and community,' a statement from the governing body read. 'We urge people not to take part in Run It Straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury. 'Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion.' All Blacks star Ardie Savea has admitted that he used to play the game with his brother growing up, but has urged those considering taking part in the challenge to "be safe". '(My message) first and foremost is condolences to the young brother that passed away and his family. It's never nice hearing that, obviously,' he told reporters. 'I just obviously don't want anyone getting hurt and losing lives. I'm just encouraging everyone to be safe and condolences to our brother and his family.' 'It's a tough one. I don't know the precautions they take in terms of the head side of things and you can see the other side and understand why they're doing it and whatnot," Savea added. 'It's hard because it's kind of made me the rugby player I am – I used to do run it straights in the backyard with Bus (his brother Julian) – so you kind of see both sides." Mr Satterthwaite's uncle, Peter Satterthwaite, told the Herald that his rugby player nephew was a "top kid" who 'would do anything for anybody" as he paid tribute to him. 'Pleasant and polite, one of those kids that would open the door for you, say please and thank you - and it's hard to come by on some of the teenagers these days,' he said. '[He and his friends] knew about the game, thought it'd be good fun to play. It was just a freak accident and he hit his head. 'They got concerned for he was conscious at the start, and he was talking to his friends, and then he just, as such, started going downhill," he added. Article continues below In a statement made earlier this week, Manawatu Area Commander Inspector and police spokesperson Ross Grantham said: 'This young man's death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends. 'The tackle game … was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear. "While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cardiff prop Southworth given three-match ban
Cardiff prop Danny Southworth has been given a three-match ban for being sent off against Stormers in the final United Rugby Championship (URC) game of the season. Southworth, 26, was shown a 29th-minute red card for a dangerous tackle by Italian referee Gianluca Gnecchi during Cardiff's 34-24 defeat in Cape Town on 16 May. The prop will have his ban reduced by a week if he completes World Rugby's coaching intervention programme. With Cardiff's season having finished after they failed to reach the URC play-offs, the games Southworth will miss will be confirmed at a later date.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cardiff prop Southworth given three-match ban
Cardiff prop Danny Southworth has been given a three-match ban for being sent off against Stormers in the final United Rugby Championship (URC) game of the season. Southworth, 26, was shown a 29th-minute red card for a dangerous tackle by Italian referee Gianluca Gnecchi during Cardiff's 34-24 defeat in Cape Town on 16 May. Advertisement The prop will have his ban reduced by a week if he completes World Rugby's coaching intervention programme. With Cardiff's season having finished after they failed to reach the URC play-offs, the games Southworth will miss will be confirmed at a later date.
