Date 15th September 2014
Law 9 – Method of Scoring
The SRU has requested clarification on whether the below interpretation of Law 9 in Sevens also extends to Fifteens.
“Law 9.B.1 9 (e) – Taking a conversion kick
- Who can or should inform the referee of the team’s decision to opt to take the conversion or not? Can anyone or must it be the captain, try scorer or conversion taker? Or any of the foregoing, bearing in mind that one of the foregoing individuals may be some distance from the referee and be inaudible?
- Are there any specific words or signal that must be used to indicate to the referee of the team’s decision as to whether they will take the conversion or restart play?
- In relation to the timing restriction on when a team can opt not to take the conversion and to instead restart play, what happens if there is a delay in the referee ruling that a try has been scored (i.e. if he is behind the player or the TMO is consulted) which results in the clock going past 0.00?
- Lastly, if the team chooses not to take the conversion do they have to be set to take the restart before the clock reaches 0.00 and the hooter sounds? Or do the same principles apply regarding other restarts of play such as the line out whereby the ball may go out of play before the clock reaches 0.00 and the line out must still take place regardless of whether it has formed or not before 0.00?”