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Bizarre kick tennis scenes in Murrayfield could see end of 'Dupont Law'
By Ian Cameron
Some bizarre kick tennis scenes at Murrayfield today could yet spark the potential abolition of the so-called 'Dupont Law'.
France beat Scotland 20-16 in their Guinness Six Nations clash, with a late TMO decision adding some much-needed drama to what was at times a difficult watch for rugby fans.
What caught the eye during the match were episodes of kick tennis that have not been witnessed since the infamous Law Variations of the late 2000s.
Kick tennis has seen a resurgence of late, with the practice dubbed the Dupont Law emerging in the Top 14. It refers not to an actual rule change but to the exploitation of a loophole within rugby's existing framework. The loophole allows players excessive time to execute kicks by taking advantage of opponents being offside — a scenario that played out painfully at Murrayfield.
For several minutes, opposing kickers on both teams stood motionless, exploiting this loophole to the fullest.
They did this by not advancing five metres or passing the ball, thereby keeping opposition players in an offside position. This tactic, while legal, led to a standstill as kickers took their own good time to return fire with a kick and put opposing players back on side, as if the receiver refrains from moving, they gain an inordinate amount of time to strategize their next move, drastically slowing down the game.
"It was smart by Dupont and everyone is copying it now, but it is an area that they (authorities) will have to change", Bernard Jackman told RTE's Against the Head earlier this week.
Former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney also took umbrage at the exploitation of the law. "It's a law that is not showing the game in it's best light and something needs to be changed," said Kearney on Virgin Media Sports.
RugbyPass analyst Sam Larner wrote on X that: "I suspect this might be the game that kills the 5m Dupont law.... Scotland just being smart with it."
The standstill at Murrayfield, perceived by many as poor viewing for spectators, will no doubt prompt calls for World Rugby to reconsider and possibly revise the rule to prevent such exploitation.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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