Common sense has prevailed over the use of a goal kicking shot clock for the second rugby Test between the All Blacks and England at Eden Park tomorrow night.
The new 'shot clock' could be seen being tested up on the big screen during an All Blacks training session at Eden Park yesterday.
All Blacks kicker Damian McKenzie had a last minute penalty kick attempt ruled out last week in Dunedin, due to being on or over the 60 second mark, the time allowed for a penalty kick.
The time starts from when a kicker or a captain signals for a kick at goal. McKenzie was right on the time limit.
How the 'shot clock' being used at Eden Park will look for the All Blacks v England second Test. (Source: 1News)
The World Rugby 60 second penalty kick rule (it’s 90 seconds for a conversion) was instituted in December 2022, but very few venues, if any, use an actual shot clock.
At the time, World Rugby stated: “Member unions and competitions will work with broadcasters and match hosts to implement on-screen (stadia and broadcast) shot clocks for penalties and conversions to ensure referees, players and fans can view the countdown, mirroring what happens in the LNR (French leagues) and Sevens.”
This hasn’t really happened, not in the Southern Hemisphere anyway.
In Super Rugby Pacific referees keep in close contact with goalkickers, letting them know the countdown, or hurrying them up. However in Test match football, the referees calls appear to be sporadic. There has been no shot clock in New Zealand rugby up until now.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed a shot clock would be added to the big screen in a statement on Tuesday.
“NZ Rugby can confirm that there will be a shot clock shown on the stadium big screen and broadcast for this weekend’s Test match in Auckland,” the statement read.
“This will also be in place for all home Test matches in 2024. The current process using the referee to communicate with the kicker has been successfully used in Super Rugby Pacific for the past two seasons and continues to be an effective way to monitor the time.”
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McKenzie was hurried up or at least communicated with in previous kicks in the Dunedin test match, but didn’t appear to be for his final attempt.
It’s hoped or even assumed the belated decision to install a shot clock will alleviate any drama or controversy.
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