Rugby term
Penalty try
Definition
A penalty try is awarded when foul play by the defending team stops a try that would probably have been scored, and it is worth 7 points.
When a penalty try is awarded
The referee awards a penalty try if foul play by the opposing team prevents a probable try, or prevents a try being scored in a more advantageous position (Law 8). The test is "probably", not "certainly". The referee judges what would most likely have happened without the foul play.
Foul play here covers more than dangerous tackles. Common causes include:
- intentionally collapsing a scrum, ruck or maul close to the try line (Law 9)
- intentionally knocking the ball forward to stop a pass reaching an attacker (Law 11)
- an offside player intentionally obstructing an opponent (Law 9)
- a high or late tackle on a player who was about to score (Law 9)
Where it is awarded and how many points it scores
A penalty try is always awarded between the goal posts, wherever the foul play happened (Law 8). It is worth 7 points (Law 8). No conversion is attempted: the 7 points are the 5 for a try plus the 2 a conversion would have been worth.
A penalty try is a score, so play restarts with a drop kick from the centre of the halfway line by the team that conceded (Law 12).
What the referee does and signals
The law says the player guilty of the foul play must be cautioned and shown a yellow card, or sent off (Law 8). The referee blows the whistle to card the player, and again to award the penalty try (Law 6). So the defending team loses a player as well as the points.
An example
The attacking team has a scrum 3 metres from the try line and is driving forward. A defending prop intentionally collapses the scrum. The referee judges that a try would probably have been scored, so the attacking team gets 7 points between the posts with no conversion, and the prop must be shown a yellow card or sent off.
Penalty try or penalty kick?
If the referee is not satisfied that a try would probably have been scored, there is no penalty try. The foul play is still punished, usually with a penalty kick, and the attacking team chooses whether to kick at goal, kick to touch, tap and play, or take a scrum.
Referee signal
Common questions
How many points is a penalty try in rugby?
A penalty try is worth 7 points (Law 8). It is awarded between the posts and no conversion is attempted.
Is a penalty try always a yellow card?
Yes, or a red card. The law says the player whose foul play prevented the try must be cautioned and shown a yellow card, or sent off (Law 8).
Does a penalty try have to be a certain try?
No. Law 8 says the foul play must have prevented a probable try. The referee does not need to be sure the try would have been scored, only that it was the likely outcome.
Is there a conversion after a penalty try?
No. No conversion is attempted after a penalty try (Law 8). The 7 points are awarded straight away and play restarts with a drop kick from halfway.
Where is a penalty try awarded?
Always between the goal posts, regardless of where the foul play happened (Law 8).
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