Rolling sub to take conversions?

[MiniRef]

U16 Match, where rolling subs are allowed. Before the match, the coach approached me to say that he wanted to minimise the on field time of his kicker (didn't say why) and could he bring his kicker on just for conversions? I said no (seemed to be an abuse of the spirit of the game and the concept of rolling subs) but I'm not sure I could have stopped it. The only thing I can see is

"Substitutions may only be made when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee."

Clearly, I could withhold permission at that time! But
a) was I right in law?
b) is the ball 'dead' between a try being scored and the attempted conversion?

Thanks.

 

[dave_clark]

I'm not sure I could have in law stopped it.

added a key bit. i'd have done the same as you if put on the spot.

 

[dave_clark]

there we go - 3.4

Substitutions may only be made when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee.

 

[PaulDG]

U16 Match, where rolling subs are allowed. Before the match, the coach approached me to say that he wanted to minimise the on field time of his kicker (didn't say why) and could he bring his kicker on just for conversions? I said no (seemed to be an abuse of the spirit of the game and the concept of rolling subs) but I'm not sure I could have stopped it.

I think we all may feel it's an abuse but there is a ruling on it and the IRB says teams can make a substitution just before a kick.

(When the RFU clarified the issue of rolling subs a few years back it said it didn't want to see the development of specialist kickers but that was before the ruling.)

 

[Phil E]

I think we all may feel it's an abuse but there is a ruling on it and the IRB says teams can make a substitution just before a kick.

(When the RFU clarified the issue of rolling subs a few years back it said it didn't want to see the development of specialist kickers but that was before the ruling.)

At a very recent society meeting we were told, that ruling was no longer valid and that you could bring on a sub, but his first action could not be to take a kick.

 

[PaulDG]

At a very recent society meeting we were told, that ruling was no longer valid and that you could bring on a sub, but his first action could not be to take a kick.

It's still here though.

How are we to know it's no longer valid?

 

[Phil E]

How are we to know it's no longer valid?

Well............in Warwickshire we know because the training officer said so :chin:

 

[Dixie]

I think you are right to go with the spirit of the game thing - we are holding back the tide of American Football-ism. If push comes to shove (which it never will), argue on safety grounds - the kicker is not properly warmed up, and a kick is an explosive activity that could cause muscle damage.

 

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

Is there any clarification in the BUCS rolling subs regs?

 

[tim White]

Quote 10.4.m at them -acts contrary to good sportsmanship. After the first one 'cock a deaf ear' at all PK situations (but make sure they know why)

 

[B52 REF]

bucs regs specifically disallow it - "first act of a player coming onto the field CANNOT be to kick a goal.

 

[Adam]

Is there any clarification in the BUCS rolling subs regs?

Yes there is. Here are the rolling subs regulations and the league matrix to ascertain how many interchanges can be made, based on their league (8 or 10).

 

[stuart3826]

Thanks for the IRB Ruling. I had a Championship coach give me an earload of "You can't make a sub at Penalties" recently but I couldn't quote the ruling. I will remember that one!