Here's your rugby evening headlines for Saturday, March 25.
World Cup could feature radical red card upgrade system
World Rugby is reportedly looking at an innovative law change that would see yellow cards upgraded to reds by television officials at this year’s World Cup.
The Telegraph report that there is a growing reluctance from referees to give red cards for 'grey area' incidents like England full-back Freddie Steward's dismissal against Ireland last week. As such, the governing body is exploring the logistics of a system that would see players sin-binned, with the option to upgrade it to a red card once the TMO had looked at it further.
The report adds that the governing body will come to a decision over the next two months after exploring logistical hurdles and consulting with stakeholders, including players and coaches.
The law is being trialled in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, although that sees yellows being moved up to a 20-minute red card - after which the offending player is then replaced. Were it brought it at the World Cup, it would only be the traditional 10-minute yellow card or the permanent red card used.
Warburton favours system as he sympathises with England star
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has backed the use of the yellow card upgrade system as he said Steward's red card should only have resulted in a yellow.
In an interview with the Mirror published before the Telegraph's reports, Warburton pointed to the law changes being trialled in Super Rugby Pacific as the blueprint moving forward.
“What they’re saying is that if there’s a suspected red card you go off for a yellow,” he said.
“There’s then a 10-minute period where the TMO (television match official) decides whether it gets upgraded to a 20-minute red or stays as a yellow.”
Speaking about the Steward red card, he added: “My feeling in the game was that it should have been a yellow.
“Rugby can’t be as black and white as a shoulder to the head is off. There are so many moving parts in the game. Accidents like that will always happen in the game of rugby.”
Ospreys hope to keep Smith
Ospreys haven’t given up hope of beating off interest from England in prop Nicky Smith.
The Wales international is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked strongly with Exeter Chiefs.
But Smith has been captaining the Ospreys of late and the club are fighting hard to retain the services of the Swansea-born player.
They also seem increasingly optimistic they will succeed in their aim.
After the 37-18 United Rugby Championship win over the Dragons at the Swansea.com Stadium, head coach Toby Booth
said: “We still expect Nicky to be around, so from that point of view there is nothing to report there.”
Warren Gatland watched Smith produce an excellent performance for the Ospreys in the Saturday afternoon derby, with the captain and prop strong in the scrums, lively around the field and crowning his display with a try.
Williams praises Cardiff pack after Italian job
Cardiff scrum-half Lloyd Williams has praised his forward pack after they claimed a crucial bonus point win over Zebre in Parma on Friday night.
The maximum five points strengthened their position as the leaders in the Welsh Shield standings, while it also kept their hopes of a URC play-off spot alive.
“Our set piece was really good today, and was something we could count on," said Williams afterwards. "All credit to the boys up front, we put them in the areas but they fully capitalised on it.
“The forwards put a real shift in today and they got us over the line which is what counts for us.
“As part of our preparations last week, we’d looked at the last 10 Zebre home games and they’re always pretty tight and are in the game come the last quarter.
“We did slip off a little bit in the last 10 minutes but on the whole we’re really pleased and we would’ve certainly take five points before coming out here.”
Wallabies announce deal for league convert
Sydney Roosters and Samoa full-back Joseph Suaalii will depart the NRL at the end of his current contract to take up a three-year deal with Rugby Australia and New South Wales Waratahs.
New Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had already spoken about targeting rugby league for signings, with the addition of Suaalii one that could pay off ahead of the Lions tour in 2025 and the World Cup in 2027.
Suaalii is still under contract with the Roosters until the end of 2024, and insists he is committed to the cause, saying: “The Sydney Roosters have been great to me and my family since I got here and the club is always going to be a big part of me.
“There’s still a long way to go in my journey with the Roosters and my sole focus is on working hard every day to keep improving and performing my role for the team.”
The deal to switch codes is worth a reported $1.6m a year, which is being described as Rugby Australia’s biggest ever deal. A statement later read: “Rugby Australia (RA) and the NSW Waratahs today announced that they have signed Joseph Suaalii from October 2024 until at least the end of 2027.
“Per RA policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
“Growing up in Penrith, Joseph Suaalii was a schoolboy rugby prodigy for The King’s School, representing the GPS 1st XV as well as NSW and Australian Schoolboys in rugby sevens. He also played rugby for Penrith RSL, Eastwood and Northern Barbarians.”
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