Can a try be awarded if the ball pops before a player grounds it?

The answer is yes as Southland flanker Tim Boys found out during a ITC Cup game as New Zealand rugby had its very own "Deflategate" moment.

Boys scored a fifth-minute try in his side's 27-18 win over Northland in Whangarei on the weekend, and his five-pointer was the talking point after the match.

After charging down a kick from Northland five-eighth Dan Hawkins, Boys scooped up the ball and dived over the line for a try.

The referees didn't hear or see the puncture, so they awarded the try.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said former All Black Ian Jones on the sidelines, popped ball in hand. "We heard the the thump - well that was the ball actually exploding."

Boys' teammate Lima Sopoaga was just thankful he didn't have to kick the conversion with the limp item.