World Rugby have introduced a set of law amendments which will be trialled at various tournaments this year in a bid to improve player safety and reduce the risk of injuries.
The trials were approved for the four-year law amendment review cycle that began after the 2019 World Cup following an analysis by the Law Review Group last March and several unions expressed interest in operating one or more of the trials.
Preventing dangerous high tackles remains a high priority for World Rugby as they look to reduce the number of concussions.
The High Tackle Technique Warning, which was trialled at the World Rugby U20 Championship and reduced concussions by more than 50 per cent, will now be trialled in the Super Rugby championship which begins on January 31 and also the Top 14 in France.
“While the recent Rugby World Cup demonstrated a slight decrease in injury rates and a 30 per cent reduction in concussions owing to the implementation of evidence-based injury prevention programmes, we can and must do more to reduce injuries at all levels,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.
“We’ve already seen hugely encouraging initial outcomes and feedback from Australia’s National Rugby Championship and are delighted to have such a broad range of elite and community leagues running trials thanks to the support of our unions and regions.”
Reducing the tackle height to the waist is also part of the package of law amendments in a bid to reduce injuries to both the tackled player and tackler while also encouraging more offloads.
Teams will also have the opportunity to review yellow cards for players sent to the sin bin so that those guilty of dangerous foul play are rightly awarded a red card instead of a yellow.
The Law Review Group will reconvene in March to review the trials’ results before making recommendations to the Rugby Committee.
The other amendments to be trialled across the globe are:
* 50:22 kick – If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22 or from inside their own 22 into their opponents’ half, they will throw in to the resultant lineout.
* The introduction of an infringement (penalty and free-kick) limit for teams. Once a team has reached the limit, a mandatory yellow card is given to the last offending player as a team sanction.
* The awarding of a goal-line drop-out to the defending team when an attacking player, who brings the ball into in-goal, is held up.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
What about clearing out a ruck? Can you make contact above the waist?
Kane
Roar Guru
How do you tackle someone when they are picking and going on the line? If you can't touch their torso, then we are going to see a huge uplift in tries.
Matey
Roar Rookie
I wonder how much they paid the geniuses that came up with this nonsense. I think it’s time we ditch rugby and start a new sport without all this bs
elvis
Roar Rookie
What about props who don't have a waist?
piru
Roar Rookie
The awarding of a goal-line drop-out to the defending team when an attacking player, who brings the ball into in-goal, is held up. I like this law
PeterK
Roar Guru
My hope is the waist high tackle never progresses past the youth and female comps it is being trialed in. Of all the changes this is the one that changes the game the most for the poorer and it actually achieves very little. Instead just move the tackle height as many have suggested to below the armpit, it is a clear line and sufficiently below the head to achieve the aim of few head contacts.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Hey Chook! First, I thought that concussions occurred more frequently on the tacklers, not the tackled player. How will this reduce the incidence? Also, as I mentioned above, where is the data, the analysis, that they claim shows the reduction? I find it hard to believe that you can "demonstrate" this over such a short period of time. I find this claim Trumpian in nature. I wish to be wrong though....
Harry Jones
Expert
I’m skeptical of these changes. 1/ Rewarding try-line defenders for obscuring the TMO and ref, leading to easy exit, after the attacking team did everything that is hardest in rugby except having a visible touchdown — that’s too much reward. I liked the 5 m scrum; but if someone thought too many tries were being scored, make it a 10 m scrum. 2/ Protecting the carrier over the tackler too much. The stats show a lot of head and neck injuries happen to LEGAL low-tackling defenders. Example: RWC. Vermeulen on the charge. Italian defender goes low. Knocked out. Much safer to chest tackle. 3/ Unintended consequence of kick rule: probably more box.
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Thanks mate, yes, I’ve been a bit ‘if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing’. So haven’t said much! If you remember me, and I remember all of you guys (still read through), we all have our viewpoints, but as a WA rugby player and supporter, the Force was a big loss to my love of rugby. Unlike a lot of my mates and former team mates, I have tried really hard to stay committed and in touch with the Aussie super sides and wallabies. But we just have seem to have lurched from crisis to crisis! But I’m going to hit 2020 with enthusiasm for all our Aussie boys in 2020... for a while anyway. And yes mate, great moniker because I still miss it too.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I'll go ahead and say it - I hate every one of these law changes.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
You're dead right. I had seen you/others say the ruck will be an issue. It just occurred to me though that perhaps the fine print says the tackle has to be no higher than waist "height". That would go some way to address the ruck problem. You have to hope this issued crossed their mind, if it didn't then they're muppets.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Apologies to RG... Never deny a man those extra 2 inches :stoked:
Adam
Guest
This is awful. I am all for limiting concussion and such but seriously i think this is getting ridiculous - concussions will always happen you will never remove them I referee out in the bush and i feel the laws around the tackle now are fine. I have to be honest every year it feels like you need to complete a brand new course - i know these are only a trial. Further the review system is a joke - we need to teach people to respect the referee's decision - players and officials need to move on. Many will disagree and argue about the 'howler' but you know what that happens - but i guess when there is so much money involved. As for the other rules all we need now is a play the ball and we will be set. Leave the game alone seriously!
Zado
Guest
Except RG is not 6'7 but 6'9. :shocked:
Azza
Guest
Perth Stayer How does a team defend multiple pick and drives close to their line without tackling hard or hitting hard above the waist ? ( penalty penalty penalty penalty ) ??
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
A 6 ‘ 7″ RG Snyman having to tackle a 5’6″ Cheslin Kolbe in full cry ducking into the tackle below the waist… RG is gonna have to crawl on the ground.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
It’s almost in place. There are a lot of high shot penalties in Europe Rugby. Below the nipples ; All players topless. The three biggest blights on watching Rugby are. 1 Teams playing short with cards. The solution. Deal with it post match with double or triple time out. 2 Forward passes and offside on kicks. The solution. Check these tries quickly. 3 The high ball contests. A lot of injuries. The Solution. The stationary player under the ball must not be leapt on or at. The player closest to the ball has first right. Not the one charging at him at full pace ; Often off side.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Where’s the published and peer reviewed data of the 30% reduction? Doubt this.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Pete: I am of the opinion that too many red cards are being handed out these days. In 25 years of reffing I gave 2 red cards, one for punching someone on the ground and the other for kicking someone on the ground. Allowing the captain query a yellow card is an act of madness IMHO.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Good to see you back. Hope more like you appear again. The last few years have been tough.