Rokoduguni scores as debate rages over validity of five point penalty kick

Doncaster Knights scored one of the most audacious tries at the weekend in their 45-31 victory over Ampthill. The score in question made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter) for the controversial way in which it was finished.

Lining up to convert what appeared to be a relatively straightforward penalty kick, replacement kicker Morgan Bunting appeared to get his angles completely mixed up during the approach, sending the ball well wide to the right.

As Bunting bowed his head in acknowledgement of the skewed kick, the ball held up in the skies long enough for former Bath and England winger Semesa Rokoduguni to fly through the air and catch the wayward kick.

How to kick 5 points from the tee 🤯@DoncasterKnight #ChampRugby pic.twitter.com/rPNvhEKB3V

— Championship Rugby (@Champrugby) September 22, 2024

Fans of the Knights were mighty impressed with the reaction from their side, but some have suggested that if the kick was international then the try should not have stood. Players must make a clear and obvious attempt at goal if they elect to shoot at the posts.

Kim Bennett said: “Did he even aim at the posts, not sure that’s totally legal. Looked more like a chip aimed at the player. In which case not try and a penalty surely.”

Tom Carr appeared to be in support of this theory, adding: “Hmm… I find it hard to believe that a rugby player at this level can miss by so much…You can also see by the line up of the ball that this seems pre-planned…Law 8.20 anyone?”

Alistair Maclenan joked: “I thought you had to aim at the posts once you’d called a shot at goal? I’ve never kicked a ball in a game, and I’d have got it closer!”