Auckland Rugby League
Referees Association

SECTION 6

6.0 - THE PENALTY

6.1 - The Penalties Are Awarded

6.1.1 - A penalty shall be awarded against a player who deliberately breaks the rules provided that the awarding of the penalty will not disadvantage the opposing team.

6.1.2 - The advantage to the opposing team must be apparent if the Referee is to allow play to proceed.

6.1.3 - Any player can ask the referee the reason why a penalty has been awarded provided he does so respectfully.

6.2 - Where Penalties Are Awarded

6.2.1 - Unless stated the mark is where the offence occurred.

The mark is moved in the following circumstances;

6.2.2 - If misconduct occurs in-touch, the penalty is awarded 10 metres in field opposite where the offence occurred.

6.2.3 - Where a kicker is interfered with after a kick, the mark is where the ball lands or is caught in the field of play. If the ball crosses the touch line on the full, or crosses the goal-line on the full, the penalty is awarded 10 metres in field from where the ball crossed the line. (Refer to 6.13)

6.2.4 - Any offence in the in-goal which results in a penalty being awarded, the penalty is awarded 10 metres in the field of play opposite where the offence occurred.

6.3 - Breaches By The Kickers Team

In cases of a breach by the kicker’s team, a scrum is formed where the penalty kick was awarded. (See also 7.18.1).

6.4 - Breaches By Opposing Teams

In cases of a breach by the opposing team, another penalty shall be awarded opposite where the breach occurred by advancing the mark 10 metres.

6.5 - How Penalty Kicks Are Taken

6.5.1 - A player may take a penalty kick by punting, drop-kicking or place-kicking the ball from the mark or behind the mark provided it is parallel with the touch-line.

6.5.2 - The ball may be kicked in any direction (except when kicking for goal), after which it is in play. (See also 7.18.1).

6.5.3 - A penalty from a scrum is a differential penalty from which a goal cannot be directly scored. If the penalty is for foul play or offensive and obscene language a normal penalty is awarded.

6.5.4 - The differential penalty applies to all players in the team including those outside the scrum.

6.6 - Position Of Players

6.6.1 - All players from the kicker’s team must remain behind the ball when it is kicked from a penalty kick.

6.6.2 - The opposing players shall position themselves at least 10 metres from the point where the penalty was awarded.

6.6.3 - Opposing players who have not retired 10 metres at a penalty kick should only be penalised if they interfere with play, either actively or passively.

6.6.4 - Opposing players shall not interfere with or distract the attention of the kicker at a penalty kick.

6.6.5 - Opposing players may only advance after the ball has been kicked.

6.6.6 - When the ball is taken back, other than for a kick at goal, the defending players must remain 10 metres from the original mark.

6.6.7 - When the ball is kicked downfield in general play, the players from the kicking team cannot pass the point of the play the ball until the ball has passed them. If they are in front of this point, then they are deemed to be offside.

6.7 - Finding Touch

6.7.1 - From a penalty kick, if the ball is kicked into touch without being touched by any other player, the kicking team shall re-start play with a free-kick 10 metres in the field of play opposite where the ball crossed the line.

6.7.2 - If the ball is touched by an opposing player and goes into touch, a scrum shall be packed 20 metres in field from where the ball crossed the line. The kicker’s team has the loose head and the put-in.

6.7.3 - If the ball accidentally touches an opposing player and goes into touch, a free kick will be taken by the kicking team in the normal manner.

6.7.4 - Play is restarted with a 20 metre drop kick if the ball is kicked dead or touch in goal in the opponent’s in-goal from a penalty kick.

6.8 - Free Kick

6.8.1 - The ball may be kicked in any direction in any manner when bringing it into play after finding touch.

6.8.2 - Opposing players shall retire 10 metres from the free kick.

6.8.3 - In the event of a breach by the opposing team a penalty kick shall be awarded opposite where the breach occurred and 10 metres from the free kick or as near to the goal-line as possible.

6.8.4 - In the event of a breach by the kicker’s team, a scrum shall be packed 20 metres from the touch line opposite where the free-kick was to be taken.

6.9 - No Delay

6.9.1 - No player shall deliberately delay the taking of a penalty kick.

6.10 - Infringement By Kickers Team

6.10.1 - If a player fouls an opponent who is touching down for a try, a penalty kick at goal shall be awarded and taken from in front of the posts after the attempt to convert the try. For the purposes of 6.11.1, “touching down for a try” means in the act of scoring or while the player is regaining his feet.

6.10.2 - After a successful penalty kick at goal, play is restarted with a kick off from the centre of the half-way line.

6.11 - Field Goal Foul Play On Kicker

6.11.1 - If a player attempting a field goal is fouled, a penalty kick shall be awarded in front of the goal posts.

6.11.2 - If he is successful with the field goal, a kick at goal must be taken from the penalty kick. Play is then restarted from the centre of the half-way line.

6.11.3 - If the field goal is unsuccessful, the penalty kick can be taken in any manner.

6.12 - The Mark

6.12.1 - As the mark cannot be marked on the ground, a player who punts or drop-kicks may deviate slightly from it, provided no advantage is gained from it.

6.12.2 - Where a player is taking a kick at goal and moves the ball back from the point where the penalty was awarded, the point where the kick is taken becomes the new mark. Opposition players must be at least 10 metres from where the kick is being taken from.