Rugby introduces three new laws, and trials six more
Fan-focused changes will reduce kick-tennis, outlaw the crocodile roll and remove option of taking a scrum from a free-kick
Charlie Morgan, Senior Rugby Writer 9 May 2024 ? 8:37pm
Teams will no longer be allowed to choose a scrum from a free-kick under new laws to be rolled out across the game next season, with 20-minute red cards and shot-clocks for scrums and line-outs also to be trialled.
World Rugby confirmed on Thursday afternoon three permanent law tweaks that will come into force from July 1 of this year. Explaining that their plan ?seeks to increase rugby?s accessibility and relevance among a broader, younger fanbase by embracing on-field innovation and reimagined presentation of the sport with compelling storytelling,? the governing body also announced several trials to take place at this summer?s Under-20 World Championship that could be rolled out across the game next year.
The first immediate change will see scrums outlawed from free-kicks, with teams required to kick or tap them to speed up the game. South Africa notably called for scrums from free-kicks following marks in their own 22 during the knockout stages of last year?s World Cup.
The second change concerns kicks in open play, and the clause popularly known as ?Dupont Law?. From July 1, it will no longer be possible for a player to be put onside when an opponent catches the ball and either runs five metres or passes the ball. In a bid to reduce the amount of kick tennis, offside players must now retreat.
Finally, the ?crocodile roll? ? the act of twisting a defending player off their feet in the tackle area ? will be outlawed. Christian Day, the current head of the Rugby Players? Association, has been campaigning against the ?crocodile roll? for more than two years and was an influential voice.
The changes are unlikely to end with the three laws introduced from July 1, given several new trials have been announced. Twenty-minute red cards, whereby the offending player can be replaced after that period rather than permanently excluded and which have been promoted by Super Rugby competitions over recent years, are part of a suite of six ?closed law trials? that will be used in World Rugby competitions, including the World U20 Championship, over the coming year.
There will also be a trial of automatic bans for certain offences in a concerted move from World Rugby to streamline the disciplinary process to avoid the confusion and inconsistency that has marred the game in recent years.
The 20-minute red cards will be offset by a revised on- and off-field sanctions process with suspensions attached to offences. Days of mitigation for good behaviour at hearings or for previously clean records could be gone.
Foul play, where a player has ?attempted to affect a legal rugby action? will bring about a two-week ban. Aggravated foul play, involving ?highly reckless? actions such as tucked arms, shoulder-charges and spear tackles, will be worth four-week suspensions. Mitigation will only come into force if there is an appeal.
Teams in the U20 World Championships and in other World Rugby competitions such as the Pacific Nations Cup and WXV will have 30 seconds to set scrums and line-outs. The shot clock for a conversion will be reduced from 90 seconds to 60.
There is to be added protection for scrum-halves at the bases of scrums, rucks and mauls, with the offside line for defending scrum-halves moved back to the middle of the scrum.
Players will be able to mark the ball inside their own 22 from a restart, which has been introduced to encourage short restarts and discourage caterpillar rucks, which teams often use to clear the ball down-field. Finally, mauls can only stop once before the ball has to be played and, if line-outs are uncontested, then throws cannot be called as ?not straight?.
?Changes will add to rugby?s entertainment factor?
The trial laws announced this week were discussed at the Shape of the Game conference in February and findings will be presented to the World Rugby Council in November. From there, they could be rolled out more widely. They could be implemented in earlier competitions if participating unions choose to introduce them.
?I would like to thank my colleagues from across the game for embracing the spirit of this comprehensive review of rugby?s entertainment factor,? said Bill Beaumont, the World Rugby chairman. ?With calendar certainty, including new competitions and all men?s and women?s Rugby World Cups set through to 2033, our major events are defined, our content set.
?There is unprecedented long-term certainty, and this work is vital to ensuring that the on-field product is befitting of the opportunities that we have in front of us, a superb sport that is enjoyable to play and watch and helps attract a new generation to get into rugby.
?Personally, I believe that the law amendments and suite of closed trials will add to the entertainment factor. As with all trials, we will comprehensively review their effectiveness and take feedback from across the game. The revised red card sanction process is such an example, and it is important that we trial, assess and make definitive decisions based on data and feedback.?
Among other areas being monitored by World Rugby is the tackle height of the elite game, which has been lowered at lower levels around the globe, and the number of replacements that are allowed in any given game.
At a glance: rugby's law changes
Scrums scrapped at free-kicks
Teams awarded a free-kick will no longer be able to assemble a scrum. Goodbye to the Springboks? World Cup flex. Could teams with a weak set piece cynically concede free-kicks at scrums, though? A second free-kick for the same offence does yield a penalty.
Dupont Law scrapped
A clause in the offside law essentially allowed players to hold offside positions during kick-tennis rallies before rushing up-field once an opponent ran five metres or passed the ball. This is now closed, and players must retreat from offside positions.
Crocodile roll banned
Attacking players have been able to twist opponents away from the ball and to the floor at breakdowns. This is is now outlawed.
Twenty-minute red cards (trial)
Instead of traditional, permanent dismissals for red cards, the offending player will be allowed to be replaced after 20 minutes. Super Rugby has used this ploy, which is thought to be largely unpopular among northern hemisphere nations, in recent years.
Thirty-second shot clocks for scrums and lineouts (trial)
This aims to speed up the assembly of set pieces. Shot-clocks for conversions will also be reduced to 30 seconds, bringing them in line with the time limit for penalty goals.
Marks from restarts (trial)
Previously, receiving teams have not been allowed to call for a mark from long restarts. Now they will be able to. The aim here is to mitigate caterpillar rucks, which are often set up from restarts, and to encourage more shorter, contestable kicks.
Scrum-half protection (trial)
Following on from a trial in Major League Rugby across the Atlantic, scrum-halves will be given more space at rucks, mauls and scrums. At scrums, the offside line for the defending scrum-half will be moved back to the middle of the set piece.
Topic: Rugby introduces three new laws, and trials six more (Read 97 times)
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