Law discussion: Penalty blown back
SPOTLIGHT: @rugby365com law guru Paul Dobson looks at yet another bizarre incident where the wind takes over and the ball doesn’t go where the player wanted it.
Blue is playing into the wind. Green are penalised and the Blue flyhalf kicks for goal – with a team-mate holding the ball against the wind. The kick is high, flies between the uprights beyond the crossbar and then is blown back into the field of play where both teams rush to grab the ball.
(See video below …)
The referee awards the penalty goal to Blue.
Law 8 SCORING
CONVERSION, PENALTY GOAL AND DROPPED GOAL
4. For any goal to be successful, the ball must be kicked over the crossbar and between the goal posts without first touching a team-mate or the ground.
6. If the ball has crossed the crossbar and the wind blows it back into the field of play, the score stand.
The referee was right to award the three points to Blue.
