Proposed Law Changes

[Puja]

https://www.world.rugby/news/916218/wor ... bal-appeal

First phase: Law Application Guidelines reinforcing existing law

From 19 March, there will be an expectation of strict application of current law by referees globally via the following Law Application Guidelines, focusing on speeding up play:

Law 15.17: Players will be expected to use the ball more quickly when the ball has been secured at a ruck/breakdown. Referees will be asked to call “use it” earlier, which will begin the five second count to play the ball away.
Law 19.10: Hookers will be expected to maintain a full brake foot to aid scrum stability and safety during the engagement sequence. Any adjustment must maintain the act of the brake.
Law 6.29: Strict reinforcement of the 2022 law trial relating to water carriers entering the field of play.

Second phase: Law amendment recommendations for global adoption

A package of law amendments will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its 9 May meeting. Each is aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Recommendation to make adjustments to Law 10 in relation to players being put onside when there are kicks in open play, as per the current Super Rugby Pacific trial which aims to reduce kick tennis.
Removal of the scrum option from a free-kick at a scrum, reducing dead time.
Outlawing the practice of the ‘croc roll’, reinforcing player welfare focus

Third phase: Closed law trials

Unions and competition owners will be encouraged to implement a package of closed law trials which can be adopted at domestic or cross-border level, aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Expansion of the shot clock for scrum and lineouts and reduced kicking time.
Ability to mark the ball inside the 22m line from a restart, promoting attacking options.
The ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
Protection of the nine at the base of the scrum, ruck and at the maul following successful trials in Major League Rugby in the USA and in elite and community competitions in New Zealand.
Play on for lineout not straight if the throw in is uncontested.

Fouth phase: Specialist working groups

Specialist working groups will be established to further explore aspects identified by the Shape of the Game forum for further consideration. Recommendations will be made to Council.

On- and off-field sanctions: Comprehensive review of the sport’s disciplinary and sanctioning processes with the objective of streamlining, increasing simplicity, consistency and fan understanding. A key consideration will be the potential to combine stronger off-field sanctions for foul play with a global red card trial where a carded player is removed for the duration of the match but may be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. The final proposal will go to World Rugby’s Council in May.
Tackle/Ruck/Breakdown: A major review of safety and spectacle issues as they relate to the breakdown, e.g. the impact of contesting the ball on the floor, jackal as opposed to an upright driving game.
Television Match Official (TMO) protocol: Determine the optimal remit for the TMO protocol, while setting new minimum standards for technology providers.
Replacements: Examine the latest research on the impact of fatigue and the number and timing of replacements in the elite game to determine options that might create more space on the field while improving injury rates.
Fan experience: Build rugby’s attention share via a fan-focused view of how the game is marketed, a consistent approach to presentation of the sport across all media environments and a focus on the moments in the game that really engage fans. This will include a thorough review of the language and terminology that is used within the game.
Tackle height: Consider the results of the community tackle height trials across 11 unions and consider appropriateness for elite rugby.

Fifth phase: Examine impact of specific aspects of the game in new Rugby Labs

New Rugby Labs, which enable World Rugby to test out new aspects of law in a controlled environment evaluated by data and player feedback, will be utilised to examine the impact of aspects of the game that either have an impact on speed or safety. These are likely to include the scrum engagement sequence and the tackle/ruck area.

I like this approach from World Rugby. The first phase is just good common sense - no-one has been pinged for not using it within 5 seconds since about 3 months after it was brought it and refs give 9s loads of time before even calling it, let alone the practice of counting to 5 and then reminding the 9 that they've said to play it. The second phase is also common sense - Dupont broke the game a bit with that loophole and it's right to close it.

Third phase is interesting and I'd like to see the results of the trials. I have been persistently a champion of not letting the scrum half be played at the base of a scrum - it's such a simple change and it massively increases the incentive to attack from a scrum, by allowing a clean pass to the backs while the forwards are all tied in. Interesting idea for a mark from a kick-off - increases the motivation to compete in the air, but I'd pair that with not allowing sides to lift a pod. Make kick-offs really competitive. Not sure about the lineout not straight as a spectator - that'd be a beggar to judge whether a side is competing or not - but my own wonky throwing welcomes it.

Fourth phase is a bit more blue-sky and wafty, but I do like the idea of looking at replacements and synching the tackle height across the game - it'd be bananas to continue with community rugby doing one thing and professionals doing another.

And I do like the idea of looking ahead and attempting to get data on future problems, rather than reacting to whatever trend has broken the game most recently.

All things told, I'm cautiously pleased about what the IRB are doing, which is weird.

Puja

[Oakboy]

I'm not sure they are going far enough in eliminating the caterpillar ruck. Maybe, the simple way would be to have the ball declared 'out' as soon as the SH touches it with hand or foot to start with. I'd also like the referee's call of 'play it' to be as soon as the ball is available to the SH with any forward then joining conceding a penalty.

[Puja]

I'm not sure they are going far enough in eliminating the caterpillar ruck. Maybe, the simple way would be to have the ball declared 'out' as soon as the SH touches it with hand or foot to start with. I'd also like the referee's call of 'play it' to be as soon as the ball is available to the SH with any forward then joining conceding a penalty.

I still stand by my suggestion of outlawing kicking the ball from a breakdown - the ball must be passed or carried outside of 5 metres radius from a breakdown before a kick can be made. Sure, it'll mean a lot of kicks currently made by the 9 will just be made by the 10 instead, but passing the ball at least means something could happen, whether that's a fumble, or the 10 seeing something's on, or a charge down. Right now, it's just another set piece and, unlike the others, one where competition for the ball isn't allowed.

If we're not going to go that drastic, I'd want to enforce players being on their feet when forming the caterpillar and, if the front man flops to the floor, all of the people bound onto him are no longer part of the ruck (and hence the ball is out). While doing the m-b-ms, there's been too many occasions of the first three in the queue being on their knees or even lying flat on the ruck, ruling out any chance of a counter-ruck disrupting it.

Puja

[Oakboy]

I'm not sure they are going far enough in eliminating the caterpillar ruck. Maybe, the simple way would be to have the ball declared 'out' as soon as the SH touches it with hand or foot to start with. I'd also like the referee's call of 'play it' to be as soon as the ball is available to the SH with any forward then joining conceding a penalty.

I still stand by my suggestion of outlawing kicking the ball from a breakdown - the ball must be passed or carried outside of 5 metres radius from a breakdown before a kick can be made. Sure, it'll mean a lot of kicks currently made by the 9 will just be made by the 10 instead, but passing the ball at least means something could happen, whether that's a fumble, or the 10 seeing something's on, or a charge down. Right now, it's just another set piece and, unlike the others, one where competition for the ball isn't allowed.

If we're not going to go that drastic, I'd want to enforce players being on their feet when forming the caterpillar and, if the front man flops to the floor, all of the people bound onto him are no longer part of the ruck (and hence the ball is out). While doing the m-b-ms, there's been too many occasions of the first three in the queue being on their knees or even lying flat on the ruck, ruling out any chance of a counter-ruck disrupting it.

Puja

I'd love to see that tried.

[Mellsblue]

I'm not sure they are going far enough in eliminating the caterpillar ruck. Maybe, the simple way would be to have the ball declared 'out' as soon as the SH touches it with hand or foot to start with. I'd also like the referee's call of 'play it' to be as soon as the ball is available to the SH with any forward then joining conceding a penalty.

I think this would only slow it down. It would mean the 9 has to communicate with the bloke who has his head stuck between two other players that he needs him to roll the ball back with his knee whilst making sure it doesn’t go past the back foot.
Refs already call no more competing at a ruck so just ban the formation of the caterpillar once this has been called and properly enforce the 5 sec rule.

[Which Tyler]

First phase: Law Application Guidelines reinforcing existing law

From 19 March, there will be an expectation of strict application of current law by referees globally via the following Law Application Guidelines, focusing on speeding up play:

Law 15.17: Players will be expected to use the ball more quickly when the ball has been secured at a ruck/breakdown. Referees will be asked to call “use it” earlier, which will begin the five second count to play the ball away.
Law 19.10: Hookers will be expected to maintain a full brake foot to aid scrum stability and safety during the engagement sequence. Any adjustment must maintain the act of the brake.
Law 6.29: Strict reinforcement of the 2022 law trial relating to water carriers entering the field of play.

Hear hear on all of those - the laws exist, just apply the damned things!

Second phase: Law amendment recommendations for global adoption

A package of law amendments will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its 9 May meeting. Each is aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Recommendation to make adjustments to Law 10 in relation to players being put onside when there are kicks in open play, as per the current Super Rugby Pacific trial which aims to reduce kick tennis.
Removal of the scrum option from a free-kick at a scrum, reducing dead time.
Outlawing the practice of the ‘croc roll’, reinforcing player welfare focus

I know I'm in a minority on this, but I don't particularly like the idea of completely removing the clause about being played onside by the opponents - adapt it, sure, but not simply remove (I'd say to actively retreat (no slowest-walk-ever competitions) to their own half, &/ allow 10m rather than 5m of ball movement to be put back onside.
Not scrummaging off a scrum free-kick seems... fine, I guess (I'd rather downgrade SOME scrum penalties to FC whilst we're at it, but freely admit that I don't know what's happening in scrums)
Wait - I thought the Croc roll was already illegal?

Third phase: Closed law trials

Unions and competition owners will be encouraged to implement a package of closed law trials which can be adopted at domestic or cross-border level, aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Expansion of the shot clock for scrum and lineouts and reduced kicking time.
Ability to mark the ball inside the 22m line from a restart, promoting attacking options.
The ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
Protection of the nine at the base of the scrum, ruck and at the maul following successful trials in Major League Rugby in the USA and in elite and community competitions in New Zealand.
Play on for lineout not straight if the throw in is uncontested.

"shot clock" expansion seems fine, been asking for something similar for a while. Of course, it'll just mean that every set piece, someone takes a knee and gets some ice spray whilst they talk tactics, but at least the clock will be off - 80 minute game is soon going to take 180 minutes to complete!
I'd rather make marks harder and less frequent than allowing more of them - but I guess they want to stop the ruck, caterpillar, clear sequence.
Is anyone (not Australian) that put off by mauling?
Protect the SH at the scrum - yes, absolutely - stop those silly bollockses just tackling each other whilst the ball is tied up. Stop the defending SH advancing beyond the hips of the flanker would do that, whilst keeping him close enough to tackle a pick and go for 8 or 9 down his channel.
For rucks and mauls, if your SH needs more protection, then it's your forwards' job to provide it. I guess I'm happy to try things, but am instinctively against these bits.
Yes please. Just throw someone up, and make sure they can't cheat (too much).

Fouth phase: Specialist working groups

Specialist working groups will be established to further explore aspects identified by the Shape of the Game forum for further consideration. Recommendations will be made to Council.

On- and off-field sanctions: Comprehensive review of the sport’s disciplinary and sanctioning processes with the objective of streamlining, increasing simplicity, consistency and fan understanding. A key consideration will be the potential to combine stronger off-field sanctions for foul play with a global red card trial where a carded player is removed for the duration of the match but may be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. The final proposal will go to World Rugby’s Council in May.
Tackle/Ruck/Breakdown: A major review of safety and spectacle issues as they relate to the breakdown, e.g. the impact of contesting the ball on the floor, jackal as opposed to an upright driving game.
Television Match Official (TMO) protocol: Determine the optimal remit for the TMO protocol, while setting new minimum standards for technology providers.
Replacements: Examine the latest research on the impact of fatigue and the number and timing of replacements in the elite game to determine options that might create more space on the field while improving injury rates.
Fan experience: Build rugby’s attention share via a fan-focused view of how the game is marketed, a consistent approach to presentation of the sport across all media environments and a focus on the moments in the game that really engage fans. This will include a thorough review of the language and terminology that is used within the game.
Tackle height: Consider the results of the community tackle height trials across 11 unions and consider appropriateness for elite rugby.

Consistency in the disciplinary process can only be a good thing
Please stop those shoulder charges into static and defenceless players (I believe there's already a law covering this, 9.11 "Dangerous Play" - just add it to the examples given
TMO remit should be being tinkered with quarterly anyway
Replacements - interesting, no idea how that's likely to come out.
Fan Experience - ref-mic would be the big one, broadcast it to any radio app.
Tackle height - this should really be in phase two - to be applied in the next season after May 9th meeting. Why the hell isn't it?

Fifth phase: Examine impact of specific aspects of the game in new Rugby Labs

New Rugby Labs, which enable World Rugby to test out new aspects of law in a controlled environment evaluated by data and player feedback, will be utilised to examine the impact of aspects of the game that either have an impact on speed or safety. These are likely to include the scrum engagement sequence and the tackle/ruck area.

Wait and see

I still stand by my suggestion of outlawing kicking the ball from a breakdown - the ball must be passed or carried outside of 5 metres radius from a breakdown before a kick can be made. Sure, it'll mean a lot of kicks currently made by the 9 will just be made by the 10 instead, but passing the ball at least means something could happen, whether that's a fumble, or the 10 seeing something's on, or a charge down. Right now, it's just another set piece and, unlike the others, one where competition for the ball isn't allowed.

I've always liked this suggestion (no bias from being a SH who hated box kicks); I also like the suggestion of "no players (either team) can be added to the ruck once the ref has called that the ball is won.

[FKAS]

I'm not sure they are going far enough in eliminating the caterpillar ruck. Maybe, the simple way would be to have the ball declared 'out' as soon as the SH touches it with hand or foot to start with. I'd also like the referee's call of 'play it' to be as soon as the ball is available to the SH with any forward then joining conceding a penalty.

I think this would only slow it down. It would mean the 9 has to communicate with the bloke who has his head stuck between two other players that he needs him to roll the ball back with his knee whilst making sure it doesn’t go past the back foot.
Refs already call no more competing at a ruck so just ban the formation of the caterpillar once this has been called and properly enforce the 5 sec rule.

That's what I'd like to see done. Ref calls "use it" and then no player from either side can join the ruck. Add that to refs being encouraged to call "use it" earlier and actually adhere to the 5 seconds the game will speed up significantly.

[Crash Hamster]

The 'use it' call is sometimes made while the ball is still wedged firmly in the breakdown, rather than at the back, while at other times it's not given until it's at the back feet. There does need to be some consistency here.

I'm not sure how it's possible for any player to clear out an 18st forward bent, head down, over the ball. Can't roll 'em sideways, can't make contact with the head, can't get underneath them to make contact on the upper body because the head is in the way, can't come in at the side. Not suggesting a solution, but if lawmakers want a contest at the breakdown, they need to tell us how this can take place.

Easy way to speed the game up? All kicks at goal to be drop kicks. No bringing the tee on, no faffing about; you have 45 seconds to kick it.

[FKAS]

Easy way to speed the game up? All kicks at goal to be drop kicks. No bringing the tee on, no faffing about; you have 45 seconds to kick it.

Invitation to cynically kill the ball in the right areas then. The threat of giving away an easy 3 points from penalties between halfway and 22 does help the game flow.

[Crash Hamster]

Easy way to speed the game up? All kicks at goal to be drop kicks. No bringing the tee on, no faffing about; you have 45 seconds to kick it.

Invitation to cynically kill the ball in the right areas then. The threat of giving away an easy 3 points from penalties between halfway and 22 does help the game flow.

Leading to a swift invitation to have a 10 minute sit down. Kick to touch, Attacking lineout 10 metres out v 14 players. Just needs some firm refereeing, none of this 'final, final, final warning' nonsense. (rather like a lot of other things...)

[Puja]

The 'use it' call is sometimes made while the ball is still wedged firmly in the breakdown, rather than at the back, while at other times it's not given until it's at the back feet. There does need to be some consistency here.

I'm not sure how it's possible for any player to clear out an 18st forward bent, head down, over the ball. Can't roll 'em sideways, can't make contact with the head, can't get underneath them to make contact on the upper body because the head is in the way, can't come in at the side. Not suggesting a solution, but if lawmakers want a contest at the breakdown, they need to tell us how this can take place.

You're not wrong. Not a clue what the answer is though.

Easy way to speed the game up? All kicks at goal to be drop kicks. No bringing the tee on, no faffing about; you have 45 seconds to kick it.

That's an interesting proposal and one I hadn't considered before. I personally would be in favour of reducing penalties to 2 points, but with the restart for a kick at goal being a free-kick at the point where the ball was kicked from. So you don't get sides cynically killing attacks with the aim of, "Rather give up a penalty than a try" and getting the reward of moving back up the pitch to a long kick-off, because the attacking side would take the points and then get to return to being on the attack.

Would require all scrum-penalties to be free-kicks, mind, to avoid South Africa winning 40-0 just by calling for the scrum again.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Has there been any mention of removing the scrum option when a mark is called?

[Which Tyler]

https://www.world.rugby/news/927372/rug ... -confirmed

[Puja]

Second phase: Law amendment recommendations for global adoption

A package of law amendments will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its 9 May meeting. Each is aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Recommendation to make adjustments to Law 10 in relation to players being put onside when there are kicks in open play, as per the current Super Rugby Pacific trial which aims to reduce kick tennis.
Removal of the scrum option from a free-kick at a scrum, reducing dead time.
Outlawing the practice of the ‘croc roll’, reinforcing player welfare focus

Third phase: Closed law trials

Unions and competition owners will be encouraged to implement a package of closed law trials which can be adopted at domestic or cross-border level, aimed at enhancing game continuity:

Expansion of the shot clock for scrum and lineouts and reduced kicking time.
Ability to mark the ball inside the 22m line from a restart, promoting attacking options.
The ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
Protection of the nine at the base of the scrum, ruck and at the maul following successful trials in Major League Rugby in the USA and in elite and community competitions in New Zealand.
Play on for lineout not straight if the throw in is uncontested.

These were all approved to continue, as well as more trials of the 20 minute red card.

ETA. Ah, Which has beaten me to it, I see!

Puja

[Which Tyler]

These were all approved to continue, as well as more trials of the 20 minute red card.

ETA. Ah, Which has beaten me to it, I see!

Only by half and hour - I just copy/pasted, which saved time typing

[Puja]

https://www.world.rugby/news/927372/rug ... -confirmed

Miserable beggar. "Why can't they just leave the laws alone and stop changing things?!?! No need for them to change anything! Except for two of the three things, which I agree need changing."

I'm not a huge fan of the no scrums from free-kicks rule, but I do get it in some respects, cause you can easily lose 5 minutes to a series of reset scrums with the time taken to form up. The video person saying, "No casual fan is complaining about scrums being a problem," clearly doesn't speak to many casual fans!

I'd be in favour of every scrum offence being a free-kick, but allowing you to kick direct to touch from a free-kick (still opp ball, but you don't have to bounce it in). That would save us from sides just scrummaging to milk penalties, while still providing a deterrent.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Did I read somewhere that the off-side line is now the middle of the scrum to prevent the defending SH encroaching? Is that a penalty offence as normal for offside?

[Puja]

Did I read somewhere that the off-side line is now the middle of the scrum to prevent the defending SH encroaching? Is that a penalty offence as normal for offside?

That's a trial within select comps, rather than a global trial. I believe it is a penalty like any other offside, although I've not seen the offence actually committed in MLR, as there's no real incentive to creep up.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Do we know which new laws are being trialled in the Prem?