3 replies to this topic

[kiwityke]

I am somewhat bemused. The Aussie commentators use the term "optional restart".
When the ball has gone over the deadball line or out touch in goal they say the defending team is taking an optional restart. I would have thought that there is nothing optional in it. You have to restart the game, no choice.
Please can you guys from OZ explain this (mis)use of the English language.
Cheers

[Bourbon Rat]

It seems there is an option to kick that is seldom used ?

Optional kick The optional kick is the instrument used to bring the ball back into play.The team taking the kick may kick the ball in any way and in any direction.Except in cases of a penalty kick being taken, an optional kick is taken from the centre of the 20m line if the attacking team are the last to touch the ball before it goes over the dead ball line or touch in-goal line.An optional kick will also be awarded if an "attacking player infringes in the in-goal area" or if a defending player catches a kick in general play on the full while in their in-goal.

Edited by Bourbon Rat, 05 August 2012 - 09:02 AM.

[bobbruce]

It seems there is an option to kick that is seldom used ?

Yes at the restart you can kick the ball and if it bounces into touch you also get the feed at the resulting scrum.

[thirteenthman]

Yes at the restart you can kick the ball and if it bounces into touch you also get the feed at the resulting scrum.

Isn't that what Rangi Chase tried in last year's 4 Nations against Australia? High risk strategy - hardly surprising it's never used.