IRB: Kicking aids limited
In answer to a request from the Irish Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board has clarified what is allowed as an aid in taking a conversion kick.
Clarifications, formerly called rulings, have the force of law.
Request from Ireland
The Irish Rugby Football Union has requested clarification that apart from a kicking tee no other item or implement may be used.
Law 9.B.1 (d) The kicker may place the ball directly on the ground or on sand, sawdust or a kicking tee approved by the Union.
There have been instances where the kicker has used another marker to indicate where he wishes to place his non kicking foot; or to sight/line up the
ball with the posts.
It is our view that these additional assists fall outside Law.
Clarification of the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
The Law permits the use of a kicking tee or sand to elevate the ball so that it can be kicked. No other equipment, sand or other implement may be used to assist the kicker.
NB The Designated Members of the Rugby Committee is an advisory committee to the IRB’s Rugby Committee, which is in turn a standing committee of the IRB’s Council. The Designated Members deal only with clarifications of the law. The members currently are John Jeffrey (chairman) of Scotland, Chris Le Fevre of Canada and Harry Schuster of Samoa.
