Kolbe vs Ramos CHARGE DOWN – Part II
Part I was intented to highlight the rarely seen charge down in rugby made by Cheslin Kolbe to provide a valueable lesson and example for young rugby players to always be aware, look for opportunities and that saving points is equally important as scoring them. It also highlighted the value of focusing on your strengths, being prepared, analysing your opponents for potential weaknesses and then adjusting when you at first don’t succeed.
A lot of viewers however used the video to rather debate whether Kolbe’s attempt was legal or not. With the inconclusive and limited video footage this is almost impossible but with this second part an attempt is made to contribute to the discussion or speculation.
The official rules make it clear that the movement the opponents can use to start their charge down is not restricted a certain body part or direction of movement of the kicker.
Official Game Laws
Rule 8 Scoring – Conversion, penalty goal and dropped goal
The opposing team at a conversion:
8.14. All players retire to their goal line and do not overstep that line until the kicker moves in any direction to begin their approach to kick. When the kicker does this, they may charge or jump to prevent a goal but must not be physically supported by other players in these actions.
L’équipe adverse lors d’une transformation
Tous les joueurs de l’équipe adverse doivent se replier en arrière de leur ligne de but et ne pas franchir cette ligne avant que le botteur ne se déplace dans quelque direction que ce soit pour commencer son élan pour botter. Quand le botteur commence sa course, les adversaires peuvent charger ou sauter pour empêcher un but mais ne doivent pas être physiquement soulevés par d’autres joueurs dans le cadre de ces actions.
https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/law/8
The issue of the time and distance covered is interesting and relevant.
I had a quick look to see in what average time an athlete could cover 22 meters.
According to the source below using the 10 m sprint test a well-trained male athlete can complete the 10 m sprint in around 1.9-2.1 seconds. Elite male sprinters like Usain Bolt can complete it in around 1.6-1.8 seconds.
Using the stadium kicking clock visible in this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujq2IhVZkv4
it seems it took Kolbe 4 seconds (less than 5) to reach the point where he jumped into the air for the charge down (From 20 seconds on the clock to 16 seconds).
It is not clear what the actual distance to this point is but lets assume it is 22m.
I think we can also assume Kolbe is a well-trained athlete so:
22m/10m * 1.9 sec/10m = 4.18 sec which indicates it is possible that Kolbe covered that distance.
If he covered 25m when he jumped it calculates to 25m/10m * 1.9 sec/10m = 4.75 sec which is still in the time Kolbe did it.
Source: https://www.matassessment.com/blog/10m-sprint-test
Copyright acknowledgements:
– Footage by TFI France, Rugby World Cup Official
– @Travellinghart
6 Comments
Great video.
The law says : "until the kicker moves in any direction to begin their approach to kick". Then the question to answer is : When Ramos is getting up right (first movement)… Is there a motion in a direction, is he approaching to kick? or the legs move starts the motion? If this is option 1 then harm swings, head movements, and other routines could be considered enough for the opposite camp to run and counter.
I'm not saying this is true and I've seen no evidence but some French fans think Kolbe and the other SA player had their feet touching the line. Kolbe disputes this though. Obvs the rule says they must be behind the line otherwise they're offside. You can't quite see from this camera angle. I think it was a planned move though cos all SA players had gathered behind the goal except the 2 runners.
With regard to movement it all depends on Ramos' routine. Does he normally start from a crouched position? Kicker should be given the chance to straighten if he normally starts from a standing position. The kicker has a right to line up and take aim. I am not familiar with his routine. Kolbe was familiar with his routine. Does Ramos have a set routine? The law is open to interpretation by the ref. Ultimately it should have been checked properly by TMO. However, I have come to the conclusion that the block was a heroic effort by Kolbe and either way it's created a good talking point. It's been good for rugby
All about the rule update in 2022 that aimed to streamline the ruling to effectively be the moment the kicker triggers from static load position. That is the first movement referenced. Every kicker takes assumes a static load position before commencing their kick. The moment they move from this static, even shimmy theor hips, they have moved, and commenced their kick. No interpretation nonsense, in fact it cleans it up, clarity, as now players have a definitive point of reference for trying to assume a charge down, no mindgames by kickers who can delay the step, take a step backwards, and all sorts so as to make it guessing game. Streamlines the entire process further, inline with the shot clock rule introduction.
2022 rule update..
No player is capable of covering 22 m in a second it doesn't exist even Usain Bolt so he clearly left before stop cheating please
Well well after all that apparently WR have said it was an illegal charge down. Now I'm really confused. I would love to know their reasons