LAW 13. KICK AT GOAL AFTER A TRY

After a try has been scored, the scoring team has the right to take a place kick or drop kick at goal, on a line through the place where the try was scored.

(2)

If a kick is taken:-

(a): it must be taken without undue delay;
(b): any player including the kicker may place the ball;
(c): the kicker's team, except a placer, must be behind the ball when kicked;
(d): if the kicker kicks the ball from a placer's hands without the ball being on the ground, the kick is void;
(e): the opposing team must be behind the goal line until the kicker begins his run or offers to kick when they may charge or jump with a view to preventing a goal.

(3)

Neither the kicker nor a placer shall willfully do anything which may lead the opposing team to charge prematurely. If either does so, the charge shall not be disallowed.

Penalty:-

For an infringement by the kicker's team - the kick shall be disallowed.
For an infringement by the opposing team - the charge shall be disallowed. If, however, the kick has been taken successfully, the goal shall stand. If it was unsuccessful, the kicker may take another kick under the original conditions without the charge and may change the type of kick.

Notes:-

(i)
In addition to the general provision regarding waste of time, the kicker is bound to kick without delay, under penalty.
A player should not be permitted to be unreasonably slow in taking any kick at goal. A period of one minute between the indication of intention to kick at goal and the actual kick is well inside the zone of "undue delay". A player who is unreasonably slow should be warned that if he persists in delay, penalties will be applied.
Even without a caution, if the delay is clearly a breach of law, the kick should be disallowed and a kick-off ordered.

(ii)
The referee must always make up time lost by any delay in taking the kick, as is provided for in note (ii) under Law 5.

(iii)
The referee should see that the opposing players do not gradually creep up and that they have both feet behind the goal line, otherwise he should disallow the charge.

(iv)
Shouting by the defending team during a kick at goal should be treated as misconduct and, if no goal is scored, another kick should be allowed without the charge.

(v)
When another kick is allowed for any reason, all the original preliminaries may be retaken.

(vi)
If the ball rolls over and away from the line through the place where the try was scored and the ball is kicked over the crossbar, a goal should be awarded.

(vii)
If, after the kicker has commenced his run, the ball rolls over into touch, another kick under the original conditions should not be allowed.

(viii)
The kick must be taken with the ball which was in play unless the referee decides that the ball is defective.

(ix)
The use of sand, sawdust or an approved kicking tee is permitted for placing the ball.

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