And the ball fell off the tee
There have been some queries about an incident in the Queen's-Grey match last Saturday. It may be a good idea to look at what the law says.
In this match Joshua Stander, the Queen's College flyhalf, was about to kick a penalty at goal. The ball fell off the tee and Stander picked it up and kicked a drop. The referee allowed the goal and Queen's were three points richer.
By law a penalty goal may be kicked with a place kick or a drop. Joshua Stander kicked a drop.
Could he have put it back on the tee and kicked a place? Yes.
But what if the ball had rolled away from the place?
The mark of a penalty is the 'place of infringement'. An infringement seldom takes place on a heel mark. So unless the ball had rolled a distance, then the drop should have stood - as a penalty goal, not as a dropped goal.
What is the time allowed? One minute from the time the player indicates that he will kick at goal.
There is no question at all that this had become general play. When Joshua Stander opted to kick at goal, only a kick at goal would be acceptable for bringing the ball into play - and Joshua Stander kicked at goal.
Are the opponents allowed to charge when the ball falls off the tee? No.
Law 21.1 WHERE PENALTY AND FREE KICKS ARE AWARDED
Unless a Law states otherwise, the mark for a penalty or free kick is at the place of infringement.
Law 21.4 PENALTY AND FREE KICK OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
(b) No delay. If a kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick a penalty kick at goal, the kick must be taken within one minute from the time the player indicates the intention to kick at goal. The intention to kick is signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground. The player must complete the kick within one minute even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again. If the one minute is exceeded, the kick is disallowed, a scrum is ordered at the place of the mark and the opponents throw in the ball. For any other type of kick, the kick must be taken without undue delay.
21.5 SCORING A GOAL FROM A PENALTY KICK
(a) A penalty goal can be scored from a penalty kick.
(b) If the kicker indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, the kicker must kick at goal. Once the kicker has made the intention clear, there can be no change of the intention.
The referee may enquire of the kicker as to the intention.
(c) If the kicker indicates to the referee the intent to kick at goal, the opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides from the time the kicker starts to approach to kick until the ball is kicked.
(d) If the kicker has not indicated an intention to kick at goal but takes a drop kick and scores a goal, the goal stands.
(fl) The kicker may place the ball directly on the ground or on sand, sawdust or a kicking tee approved by the Union.
Sanction: Unless otherwise stated in Law any infringement by the kicker’s team results in a scrum at the mark. The opposing team throws in the ball.