Law discussion: Should Paolo Garbisi have been allowed to retake the final kick?

With history on the line, Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi stepped up to the tee with the opportunity to seal a historic Six Nations victory in France.

It’s a situation he has been in before as just two years ago in Cardiff, he lined up a match-winning conversion as Italy looked to end a seven-year and 36-game-long winless drought in the Championship.

That day in Cardiff, he was successful as he hammered the ball through the uprights and fell to the ground in tears as the Azzurri secured a 22-21 victory over Wales.

However, on Sunday, he wasn’t as able to replicate that feeling as his effort struck the upright, and Italy were forced to settle for a 13-all draw against the far more fancied France outfit – who had pummelled the Azzurri 60-7 during the World Cup about four months ago.

Following the disappointment, Garbisi apologised to his fans and took “full responsibility” for the missed kick, but there is a belief among many supporters and pundits that referee Christophe Ridley should have afforded Garbisi the opportunity to retake his match-winning penalty.

Planet Rugby explains…

Garbisi’s missed penalty against France

It was a nerve racking finish to the game as full-back Ange Capuozzo dotted down in the 69th minute against a 14-man France following Jonathan Danty’s yellow card – which was upgraded to a red by the Foul Play Review Bunker – and on that occasion, Garbisi added the conversion to level the scores at 13 apiece.

The clash heated up as both sides went in search of a match-winning score, and France looked to launch an attack from inside their own half. However, Yoram Moefana found himself isolated and replacement flanker Manuel Zuliani pounced to win a penalty for the visitors.

This gave Garbisi the chance to line up the game-winning penalty.

When a penalty is awarded, the kicker has 60 seconds to take his attempt, which has always been the case but has been more closely enforced across the board in professional rugby since the Rugby World Cup last year.

Garbisi eyes up the penalty before the ball falls off his tee.

Garbisi eyes up the penalty before the ball falls off his tee. (Via ITV)

Law 8.21 reads: “The kick must be taken within 60 seconds (playing time) from the time the team indicated their intention to do so, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.

If not, the “Kick is disallowed, and a scrum is awarded.”

In this case, Garbisi is methodical in his approach and takes his time in setting up to take the kick – which is his prerogative. Place-kickers are beings of habit, and he is just going through his usual routine.

However, the ball bobbles off the tee on this occasion, and he has to place it back onto the tee and still take the penalty attempt within the allotted 60 seconds afforded to him, whether he decides to replace the kick or attempt a drop goal instead.

In this case, he opts to reposition the ball and rushes his attempt before the time concludes, and he hits the post in doing so. France scooped up the ball and look to keep it in play and launch an attack from deep but are quickly tackled into touch to bring an end to the game.

The Italian fly-half repositioning the ball on the tee.

The Italian fly-half repositioning the ball on the tee. (via ITV)

Why Garbisi should have been allowed to retake his kick

But Garbisi should have been allowed to retake his kick due to the actions of the French players.

Law 20.12 states: When a penalty or free-kick is awarded, the opposing team must immediately retreat 10 metres towards their own goal line or until they have reached their goal line if that is closer.

Law 8.27 also states that “if the opposing team infringes while the kick is being taken but the kick at goal is successful, the goal stands and a further penalty is not awarded. If the kick is unsuccessful, the non-offending team is awarded a penalty 10 metres in front of the original mark. Sanction: Penalty”

The bold sections are important here as two French players advance towards the kicker during Garbisi’s attempt at goal.

The first instance was when he repositioned the ball on the tee.

France player moves forward towards Paolo Garbisi during his penalty kick.

France player moves forward towards Paolo Garbisi during his penalty kick. (Via ITV)

Unlike a conversion, when the ball falls off the tee, or the kicker begins his approach, the opposition team is not allowed to advance forward within 10 metres of the kicker.

Additionally, law 8.22 states that “if the kicker indicates to the referee the intent to kick at goal, the opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides from the time the kicker starts to approach to kick until the ball is kicked.”

Replacement prop Sébastien Taofifénua is also seen here moving forward and extends his arms out once Garbisi starts his kick.

Sébastien Taofifénua with his arms out and moves towards Paolo Garbisi as he starts his run up

Sébastien Taofifénua with his arms out and moves towards Paolo Garbisi as he starts his run up. (Via ITV)

In this case, Garbisi’s kick was unsuccessful, and he should, in fact, have been allowed to retake his penalty and have another shot at sealing a historic victory over Les Bleus in France.

In the end, it was not to be, as he and Italy would have to settle for a stalemate.

The Six Nations action now pauses for a week before the penultimate weekend sees Italy host Scotland in Rome while France will dust themselves off and look to respond when they tackle Wales in Cardiff.

Italy will be eager to avoid yet another Wooden Spoon finish – last place on the standings – when they face Wales on Super Saturday on March 16. The Azzurri finished bottom of the pile in the nine most recent Six Nations Championships and endured 14 winless campaigns.