Hurdling opponent ‘illegal’

Anyone wanting to copy Pita Gus Sowakula’s stunning hurdling try is out of luck, with World Rugby ruling that jumping over opponents will now be deemed illegal.

The Chiefs No8 scored an athletic five-pointer in his side’s opening-round Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders in Queenstown, leaping above the attempted tackle of Aaron Smith on his way to the line.

But it was a play that courted controversy post-game, with punters divided on whether referee Paul Williams should have awarded the try, considering the potentially dangerous nature of the play.

However, there was nothing specific in the laws of the game to rule against it, and so New Zealand Rugby national referee manager Bryce Lawrence sought clarification from

World Rugby as to how it should be ruled in future.

Needing to give teams an answer by last Wednesday , officials told coaches the hurdling wouldn’t be allowed, as they waited for confirmation from World Rugby.

Now, ahead of round three this weekend, the governing body yesterday came back with official word, issuing a ‘clarification in law’ to all member unions, for all levels of the game.

‘‘We agree – jumping to hurdle a potential tackler is dangerous play, as is the act of a ball carrier jumping into a tackle,’’ the statement read. ‘‘Even if no contact is made, we believe this act is in clear contravention of law 9.11, and runs contrary to the game-wide focus on player welfare.

‘‘In this specific case [of Sowakula] the sanction should be a PK [penalty kick] against the ball carrier.’’

GETTY IMAGES. Chiefs No8 Pita Gus Sowakula hurdles Aaron Smith to score a try during the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific match against the Highlanders.