Looking back over the past few decades, it has generally been SANZAAR who’ve
embraced and trialled innovative law variations which have since become standard practice in our game.
The latest batch have been met with universal praise especially on the back on
Andre Esterhuizen’s red card against Portugal and subsequent four-week
suspension. As much as the officials on the day were technically correct in terms of the letter of the law, surely an accidental head clash should not be punished at the same level as a deliberate act of foul play?
ATTRACTIVE PLAY THE FOCUS
In my mind there is nothing more attractive than 15 playing 15 for as long as possible
and the ’20-minute rule’ assists in mitigating the effects of a ‘accidental’ red card – the offending player will be done for the day, but parity will be restored after 20
minutes. A deliberate, intentional action however will result in uneven numbers for
the duration of the encounter.
Other changes implemented to speed up play will see countdown clocks for scrums, lineouts and kicks at goal while the No.9’s off-side line will be the middle of the scrum giving his counterpart time to play without interference. I’ve long been an advocate for not rewarding a team who fail to contest at lineouts and there should now be less stoppages and more “play on” despite a non-straight throw in.
RUGBY MUST CONTINUE TO EVOLVE BUT…
Commenting on the law variations SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said in part,
“…we believe this year’s championship…will again exhibit the best of what the game
has to offer with exciting, tough action on the field, enhanced by the evolution in the Laws of the Game.”
Rugby should continue to evolve from a safety and innovation point-of-view, but the essence of our game should never be tampered with – set phases, physicality and the varying shapes and sizes of rugby players are unique to Union, and we must fight to retain those positive aspects. There was criticism of some of the 1 July 2024 law changes highlighted by the decision to remove the option of a scrum from a free kick and the ability to restart a rolling maul thereby depowering sides with a more forward-dominated mind set. World Rugby called them “fan-focused changes” but there’s many supporters who enjoy nothing more than a dominant scrum and at the end of the day a try scored via maul is also worth five points.
PUNISH FOUL PLAY BUT NOT RUGBY INCIDENTS
Any player not abiding by the spirit of ‘hard but clean’ rugby should be punished to the full extent of the law, in game and after the fact, but intent should be the
measurement used when deciding between the two red card options. Above all, we want a spectacle and that becomes increasingly difficult for a side trying to make up the numbers. I suspect under this variation; Sam Cane would have been replaced after 20 minutes in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. Here’s hoping that The Rugby Championship will see even-numbered contests across the board with less stoppages and more play time that ever before!
Summary of The Rugby Championship Law Variations:
- RED CARD
In the event foul play is determined to be deliberate and with a high level of danger it will result in a full red card for the offending player who will not return to the field nor be able to be replaced. All other Red Cards that do not meet the above threshold will be 20 min Red Cards in which the offending player will be removed from the match but will be entitled to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes.
Rationale: the individual, not the game, punished for red card offences. - COUNTDOWN CLOCKS
a) Conversion & Penalty: A player will have 60 seconds to kick at goal.
b) Scrum: A scrum must be set 30 seconds from when the mark is made. Free Kick awarded against the team causing the delay.
c) Lineout: A lineout must be formed 30 seconds from the AR signalling the place of the lineout. Free kick awarded on 15-metre line against team causing the delay.
Rationale: Speed up ball returning to play. - PROTECTION OF THE NINE
1. Ruck: A player who was part of the ruck may not play an opponent who is attempting to play the ball. Sanction: Penalty
2. Maul: A player who is part of the maul may not play an opponent who is attempting to play the ball. Sanction: Penalty
3. Scrum: The scrumhalf must take up a position with both feet no further than the centre line of the tunnel. Sanction: Penalty.
Rationale: all three measures allow the scrumhalf, or player in that role, to play the ball away cleanly without disruption. - PLAY ON FOR A LINEOUT NOT STRAIGHT IF UNCONTESTED
Law dictates that the ball must be thrown straight into the lineout.
However, if the defending team do not compete, then play shall continue in the instance a throw may appear not straight.
Rationale: Doesn’t force a stop in play where no material offence has taken place.
For full details on the above variations visit here