"George you are very very lucky" - Nigel Owens discusses George Kruis' back heel conversion
- 11550
Former test referee Nigel Owens says that George Kruis is lucky to have his backheeled conversion awarded.
Playing in his final professional match last Saturday, George Kruis slotted three conversions for the Barbarians in their 21-52 win over England.
The last of his three conversions, Kruis back-heeled the ball over the sticks to convert Antoine Hastoy's try.
🎯 @GeorgeKruis BACKHEELED conversion @Barbarian_FC | #Baabaas
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 20, 2022
pic.twitter.com/TqTYF0IBuP
The officials awarded Kruis and the Barbarians the 2 points, but Nigel Owens has confirmed that they shouldn't have.
In his latest feature for World Rugby, Owens said: "Well, George, you were very, very lucky to be awarded this because a backheel is not a kick."
He explained that "a kick defined in [Rugby] law means you kick the ball anywhere between the knee and your foot. So the ball off the thigh or off the knee is not deemed to be s kick, and a backward heel kick like that's not deemed to be a kick."
"So although it's Barbarians rugby, it shouldn't have been allowed."
