What are the rules for double movement in the NRL? Explaining the Stefano Utoikamanu try

Mark Molyneux

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What are the rules for double movement in the NRL? Explaining the Stefano Utoikamanu try image

Stefano Utoikamanu’s try for the Wests Tigers during their dismal loss to Newcastle last weekend caused plenty of controversy due to his perceived double movement.

Although Graham Annesley has dismissed the furore around it being overturned by the Bunker by underlining how the four-pointer was correctly awarded due to the forward’s momentum into the in-goal.

Cooper Cronk criticises the Bunker for controversial ‘double movement’ try

“If his entire body ends up in the in-goal it kind of becomes irrelevant where you were carrying the ball because a try was always going to be scored in that situation,” Annesley explained.

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“That’s why momentum is a key factor in determining whether these tries are ultimately considered to be a double movement or a try.”

Cooper Cronk criticised the Bunker’s decision on game day after it had originally been sent up as a ‘no try’ by on-field referee Peter Gough.

“It’s stuck there on his chest and then that’s a double movement,” Cronk said in commentary on Fox League when watching the replay.

Although Bunker official Matt Noyen caught everyone by surprise when he identified how the forward had ended up in the in-goal legally and gave it the green light.

“The ball hits the ground, and he does promote the football, however his upper body ends up in the in-goal and he grounds the ball in the in-goal,” Noyen said.

“He used the word ‘promote’? Well, that is 101 double movement,” Cronk argued.

However, Annesley noted how Utoikamanu’s momentum in the tackle is what ultimately meant that despite him stretching out to score, the fact that he ended up in the in-goal anyway meant the try was correctly awarded.

What are the rules for double movement in the NRL?

According to the offcial NRL rulebook, a try will be awarded if:

  • a tackled player’s momentum carries him into the opponents in-goal where he grounds the ball even if the ball has first touched the ground in the field of play.
  • in the process of scoring a try, a player in possession must not promote the ball from the position the ball has been grounded.
  • if the momentum of the player in possession carries him into the opponents in-goal area, it will not be a double movement if the ball would have finished over the goal line regardless of any subsequent movement of the ball or the arm carrying the ball.

Momentum the key factor in deciding whether it is a try or double movement

“You can see he’s holding the ball on his chest and there is no question that the arm carrying the ball comes down short of the line,” Annesley said.

“The ball then moves off his chest and over his shoulder. But the important thing here is where his body finishes up.

“This is a close one, obviously. When I say close, he doesn’t finish up a long way into the in-goal but he certainly finishes up in the in-goal area.

“What the Bunker looks at here is where the player carrying the ball hits the ground – where does that part of his body finish in relation to the in-goal area.

“And if he finished in the in-goal area, has momentum been determined as getting the player into a position where he would have scored.”

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Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.