1
England flyhalf George Ford isn't happy about his charge-down
George Ford insists goalkickers will be compelled to modify their routines after he was the victim of a controversial refereeing decision in England’s Guinness Six Nations victory over Wales on Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ford was lining up the conversion of Ben Earl’s 20th-minute try and having taken a small step left as part of his pre-kick ritual, wing Rio Dyer came racing off the line to prevent him from completing it.
England’s fly-half looked to James Doleman to intervene in his favour, but the Kiwi referee instead told him that his movement meant Wales were free to charge down the kick.
World Rugby later clarified that the relevant law, updated in 2020, dictates that movement in “any direction” enables the defending side to begin their run.
George Ford doesn’t get the conversion away 🤯
England score when they’re down to 13 players but George Ford moves before his conversion approach allowing Wales winger Rio Dyer to rush up and Elliot Dee to kick the ball off the tee 🔥 #rugby #ENGvWAL #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/zmLhDhiVPH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 10, 2024
Ford was left bemused by Doleman’s decision, which could have been decisive in an ebb-and-flow game that England won by only two points.
“It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m trying to use the full shot-clock time as we’ve got men in the (sin) bin,” Ford said, with Ollie Chessum and Ethan Roots both having been off the field at the time.
“You’re at the back of your stance, you have your routine, and if adjusting your feet like that is initiating your run-up then…
ADVERTISEMENT
“Some of us kickers are going to have to stand like statues at the back of our run-up now.
“As a kicker you want to get a feel and sometimes you don’t quite feel right at the back of your run-up, so you adjust it a bit and think ‘right, I’ve got it now’. You want your chest to be at the ball and all those things.
“What it means for us kickers is that we’ve got to be ultra diligent with our setup and process because if they’re going to go down that route and look for stuff like that, we can’t afford that.”
Oh dear
Colin’s Anthony timmyboy eentwee
Your comment are just dumb!!
If you look again you will see ford steps to the side and stops, he is still stopped when dyer reaches the ball, dyer runs past the ball then another player Elliot dee arrives
Ford having moved to the side is still stood still, he has not begun his approach. At no time does he move in any direction towards the ball. He is stood still. As for time wasting? Another dumb comment! You are entitled to take the full minute, with two men in the bin you would have to be super stupid to take it quickly. As dan bigger said “A master class from ford with the boot in the last 20 minutes won the game.
If you want a quicker game speak to welsh front row, they were complicit in messing up virtually every scrum with their usual kidology
I never thought despite the chaotic nature of the game that England would lose, wales were going backwards with the ball In the last 10 minutes.
Reffell was immense
As an England fan I am glad Ford and Farrell have both been humiliated with their tiresome place kicking. He will hurry up now or be replaced by much better 10s (here’s hoping)!!!
Ford and Farrell and many other kickers take far, far too long over their kicks. As an England supporter Ford has just been given a kick up the ass, something he sorely needs. He also should learn how to attack and not just kick out of hand.
Take the kick . How long does it normally take . Yes . About 40 seconds , so Ford was trying to save 20 seconds .
Matt Dawson says Ford should take greater control of the game.
Both these from a 90 odd cap player .
If you have to point this out then its already useless as it should already be happening .
THIS is why England just cannot do any better than average .
Watching Ireland , their brand new 10 was just top class . Ford is utterly pedestrian in comparison .
Or is it that other teams are plainly better coached. And better selected.
This law isn’t new, he knows this is the case so it was just stupid on his part.
Let me help, George.
- George Ford insists goalkickers will be compelled to modify their routines after he was the victim of a controversial refereeing decision in England’s victory on Saturday.\n\n
- Yes. Yes they will.
- “It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m trying to use the full shot-clock time as we’ve got men in the (sin) bin,”\n\n
- Read the laws of the game.
- “You’re at the back of your stance, you have your routine, and if adjusting your feet like that is initiating your run-up then…“\n\n
- Don’t adjust your feet at the back of your run-up. Especially after you’d already stood still. For 3 seconds. And then “adjusted”.
- “Some of us kickers are going to have to stand like statues at the back of our run-up now.“\n\n
- Yes. Yes they will.
Not “some”. All of them.You’re welcome George.