World Rugby is trialling a set of new rules to speed up the game and improve things for fans.
Changes to the set-piece and ruck management will be trialled, with strict new time limits introduced on getting the ball in play. Advantage will only be allowed for three phases and there are changes to the deliberate knock-down ruling that will stop players being yellow-carded. Wonky lineout throws will also only be penalised if the opposition team competes.
The trial will take place in Australia in the Queensland President's XV v Queensland Reds development squad games on October 9th and 15th. Top referees Nic Berry and Damon Murphy have been called in to officiate the trials.
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Full new trial laws and time limits
- Five seconds to exit the ruck after referee calls to ‘use it’
- 30 seconds to pack scrum from when mark is set
- 60 seconds to take penalty kicks, 90 seconds for conversions, 30 seconds to restart after a conversion
- 30 seconds to throw lineout from when mark is set.
All above infringements results in a tap only, no option to scrum.
- Scrum reset if no clear sanction in the first instance, with a free kick to feeding team if it happens twice.
- Defending scrumhalf cannot go beyond midline of scrum
- Only contested throws to lineout can be adjudicated as not straight
- Only players within the lineout formation can join a maul formed at a lineout
- Focus on tackler not rolling, must make effort to roll immediately towards sideline
- Deliberate knockdown to be refereed as either a ‘deliberate attempt to catch’, or a ‘deliberate attempt to knock down’, which will result in a penalty kick only.
- Three phases and then advantage over, with territorial and tactical consideration at referees’ discretion.
The trials come at a time when discipline and penalties prevent true free-flowing rugby. For example, during The Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina last weekend, there were a total of 39 penalties given.
Earlier in the summer Izaia Perese of Australia was yellow carded against England for a controversial knock down, where many believed he was making a genuine attempt to intercept the ball. It is something England coach Eddie Jones and other players have identified as a real bugbear.
The trials comes after a panel of Super Rugby officials flagged up what was described as 'over-officiating' and questioned ball-in-play time.
Australia Rugby boss Andy Marinos also backed calls to limit the involvement of the TMO.
"The shape of the game, it is a concern for us."
"We’ve got to the point where we’re having the game managed by third parties as opposed to the people in the middle, who should be co-ordinating what takes place"
World Rugby will be analysing the matches to see what rules can be introduced across the board.
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