penalty with 10 mins to go, 15pts behind

komodosp

You see it often enough... There's about 10 minutes to go and the team behind by about 15 points is given a penalty in a kickable position. They'll usually kick for the corner in the hope of a try on the logic that they need to take as big a bite out of the defecit as possible.

But would they not be better off taking the shot at goal? They need at minimum 3 scores, one of which can be a 3-pointer, why not take the kick and have a much better chance of getting within 2 scores?

GerM

komodosp wrote: »

You see it often enough... There's about 10 minutes to go and the team behind by about 15 points is given a penalty in a kickable position. They'll usually kick for the corner in the hope of a try on the logic that they need to take as big a bite out of the defecit as possible.

But would they not be better off taking the shot at goal? They need at minimum 3 scores, one of which can be a 3-pointer, why not take the kick and have a much better chance of getting within 2 scores?

If it's a kickable position the odds are you can stick it to within 10m of the try line for a line out if not closer. Working into a position to score a try from will be more time consuming than engineering a drop goal scenario. If you need at least two tries you may as well go for it straight away and try to get the ball rolling. You've got 10 minutes to do it so getting into another try scoring scenario and a drop goal position requires excellent discipline, management and execution from every player.

Even in last year's final when Leinster were 17-12 behind with about 3 to play I was hoping Leinster would stick it to the corner and go for it rather than the posts which is what they did. If they had gotten the penalty, they would have had about 90 seconds to work themselves into a drop goal position from their own 22 which I don't think they would have managed. A determined defence can hold a team back for a few minutes making it very difficult to get into scoring territory. Keep in mind they can stick the restart long and the team chasing will then have possession back in their 22 and have to start all over again. Can see the point in taking the kick in the Leinster scenario but if you're 15 points down, I'd go for the corner every time.

danthefan

Points.

amacachi

I can never understand why teams needing 2 or 3 scores with limited time and one can be a 3-pointer don't take the easy three points early. Suppose there's 4 minutes left, team down by 8 and a penalty is given 25 metres out. By taking the three they're effectively giving themselves infinite time to get the try from the kick-off. Going for the try uses up time off the clock which is better used after the 80 minutes. IMO.

Super Sidious

Ive always been of the opposite opinion. When you need for example a Try and Two penalties, I think its better to use your time and position now pushing for a try, then you have a chance to push for a penalty, and, or drop goal...

A decent outhalf can drop kick from most central positions in the opposition half, plus if you miss, its a 22 drop to you... your more likely to get there, then all the way back down to their try line, or recieve a penalty at times!

The other option is take the Penalty, then you lose 2 minutes restarting, recieving the ball in your 22" and trying to push all the way back up the pitch, while still needing a try and another penalty/dropgoal!