Auckland Rugby League
Referees Association

SECTION 7

7.0 - SCORING POINTS

7.1 - Points Value

7.1.1 - A try is worth four points.

7.1.2 - A conversion or penalty goal is two points.

7.1.3 - A field goal is one point.

7.2 - Winning the Game

7.2.1 - The game shall be decided by the team scoring the higher number of points. If both teams have the same number of points, the game is drawn.

7.3 - How a Try is Scored

7.3.1 - A try is scored when a player grounds the ball in his opponent’s in-goal. The ball must be grounded before the player or the ball touches the dead ball or touch in-goal lines or beyond.

7.3.2 - A player may pick up the ball in his opponents in-goal, in order to ground it in a more advantageous position.

7.3.3 - A try is scored when opposing players ground the ball simultaneously in the in-goal area.

7.3.4 - A try is scored when a tackled player’s momentum carries him into the opponent’s in-goal where he grounds the ball.

7.3.5 - A try is scored by grounding the ball on or over the goal line. A try is not scored by grounding the ball at the foot of the goal posts in the field of play.

7.3.6 - When the ball is not grounded correctly play is allowed to continue unless the ball has been knocked on or has gone dead.

7.3.7 - A Referee should not disallow a try because a player who correctly ground the ball fails to retain it.

7.3.8 - The Referee should not disallow a try because he was not in a position to see the grounding of the ball.

7.3.9 - When the ball is in the scrum, a try cannot be scored by grounding it.

7.3.10 - When the ball is at the base of the scrum, it is permissible for a player to pick it up and bore through his own forwards to ground the ball for a try.

7.4 - Penalty Try

7.4.1 - The referee can award a penalty try, if in his opinion, a try would have been scored, except for the unfair play of a defender.

7.4.2 - A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts.

7.5 - Touching Referee (etc.)

7.5.1 - If play is affected following an attacking player coming into contact with the Referee, Touch Judge or spectator in the opposition in-goal area a try is awarded.

7.6 - Where Try is Awarded

7.6.1 - Where the ball is grounded as in 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 and 7.3.2.

7.6.2 - Where the ball first crosses the goal line if scored as per 7.3.4.

7.6.3 - In-between the goal posts if a penalty try is to be awarded.

7.6.4 - Where contact took place if scored as per 7.5.1.

7.7 - Referee is the Sole Judge

7.7.1 - A try can only be awarded by the Referee. The Referee can take advice from the Touch Judge before making a decision.

7.7.2 - To award a try, the Referee points to the spot where the ball was grounded and blows his whistle.

7.7.3 - Before awarding the try the referee should look at the two Touch Judges to ensure that they are not reporting a prior incident.

7.7.4 - When approved by the controlling authority of any competition, in-goal judges and the use of audio/visual electronic aids may be used to assist the Referee in the decision making process.

7.8 - How a Goal is Scored

7.8.1 - A goal is scored if the ball passes over the opponents cross bar and between the uprights on the full after being kicked by a player, (and not being touched in flight by any other player) in any of the following circumstances;

7.8.2 - By a place kick after a try has been scored and counts as two points.

7.8.3 - By a place kick or a drop kick when a penalty kick has been awarded and counts as two points.

7.8.4 - If, after completely passing over the cross-bar, the ball is blown back, a goal is still allowed.

7.9 - No Goal From Kick-Off

7.9.1 - A goal cannot be scored from a kick-off or drop-out, or from a drop-kick when brining the ball into play or by a free-kick, or from a differential penalty.

7.10 - How a Field Goal is Scored

7.10.1 - By a drop-kick during general play from any position in the field of play by the ball passing over the cross bar and between the uprights. A field goal counts as one point.

7.10.2 - If the ball is touched in flight by an opposition player and the ball still goes over the cross bar and between the posts, the field goal is scored.

7.11 - Where Kicks at Goal are Taken

7.11.1 - A kick at goal after a try may be taken from any point opposite where the try is scored and parallel to the touch line.

7.11.2 - A kick at goal from a penalty, may be taken from the mark, or from any point behind the mark and parallel to the touch line.

7.11.3 - A Referee should ensure that a kick at goal is taken from the correct position. If the kick is taken from the incorrect position no goal shall be allowed and the kick shall not be retaken.

7.12 - Players Positions

7.12.1 - When a kick at goal is being taken following a try, the opposing players shall stand within their own in-goal area, but not between the goal posts.

7.12.2 - Players from the kicker’s team must be behind the ball.

7.12.3 - When a penalty kick at goal is being taken, the opposing players shall retire to their goal line or not less than ten metres from the mark,

7.13 - Distracting the Kicker

7.13.1 - It is illegal to attempt to distract the attention of the kicker. In such cases the referee may allow the kick to be retaken.

7.14 - Goal Posts

7.14.1 - For the purpose of judging a kick at goal, the goal posts are assumed to extend indefinitely upwards.

7.15 - Judging Kicks at Goal

7.15.1 - If a Touch Judge, believes a goal has been kicked he shall raise his flag above his head.

7.15.2 - If a Touch Judge believes the kick at goal is unsuccessful, he shall wave his flag in front of him.

7.15.3 - If both Touch Judges are in agreement, their decision shall be final.

7.15.4 - In the event of a disagreement, the Referee shall decide.

7.16 - Wasting Time

7.16.1 - If a player wastes time when kicking at goal, the Referee may caution him or, in an extreme case, dismiss him. The kick should not be cancelled, but extra time should be allowed.

7.17 - Colleague Holds Ball

7.17.1 - When a place kick is being taken, it is permissible for a colleague of the kicker to hold the ball in position by placing a hand on it.

7.18 - Pretending To Kick At Goal

7.18.1 - It shall be misconduct for a player to pretend to kick at goal from a penalty kick and then deliberately kick it elsewhere. Such misconduct shall result in a penalty being awarded against the kicker.