Since the beginning of the RWC spectators have had to face two different schools of thought, those players who choose to kick penalties and conversions with a tee and those who opt for the sand.
It seems that at this RWC the more established rugby nations, such as England, France, Australia and New Zealand, are using the plastic moulded tee while a number of younger nations are more comfortable with the traditional sand castle.
No control over the tee
Year after year the rugby rules have been polished to become more precise, however there are still no rules governing the use of the tee.
Bruce Cook, the IRB’s Match Official Technical Support Officer, states, “Before the appearance of tees, players had the option of making a hole in the ground with their studs to support the ball or using some sand. However, it is the will of the player and there are no rules governing what they do.”
In most cases the players are choosing the tee. The tee first appeared in Rugby League before crossing the divide to Rugby Union. It is seen as easier, more practical, and less of a waste of time than using sand before lining up a conversion or penalty.
“The advantage of the tee is that it brings more consistency with kicking at a certain height,” Cook continues.
“A tee is also more stable than sand. It helps maintain the ball and give a better orientation, but I can’t see the technology around the tee improving too much.”
The style of Quesada
Argentinian fly half Gonzalo Quesada doesn’t share the opinion of Cook, he is a defender of the sand because for him it holds more advantages over the tee.
In training the sharp shooter practices with both.
“Each time I am using a tee, I feel I am limiting my possibility to give the ball the orientation that I want," Quesada said.
"With the sand I can mould my support how I want and choose my height with more or less sand. Each time I have used a tee I have missed my kick, but I will continue to train with them, if others can manage to do it. Why not me?”
The search for sand
Previously Quesada would use on average one minute thirty seconds before kicking however since 1999 the IRB has decided the time will be shortened to a maximum of one minute.
“It is the most boring time for me during training,” said Quesada who plays for French club Narbonne.
“I train for kicking three times a week and I lose a fair bit of time modelling the sand. I also often have to spend time out in the car park finding sand because there is none on the field.”
Maybe Quesada will need to change his way of thinking if technology allows the tees to change their height and angle.
Is that the new technological challenge for rugby?