New Zealand's scrum-half Aaron Smith reacts during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France. Photo: AFP / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
World Rugby has announced three law changes in a bid to speed up the game and increase entertainment, along with a set of trials including 20-minute sanctions for red cards and a shot clock for scrums and lineouts.
The governing body made the amendments relating to offside from kicks in open play, the options available from a free-kick and the removal of 'crocodile rolling' a player.
World Rugby said the law changes aim to promote ball in flow and diversity of attacking options, while supporting player welfare.
From kicks in open play, it will no longer be possible for a player to be put onside when an opposition player catches the ball and runs five metres, or passes the ball, which is aimed at reducing the amount of 'kick tennis' in the game.
Richie Mo'unga with a clearing kick during the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific Final against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium, Hamilton. Mandatory credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It will also no longer be possible to choose a scrum from a free-kick. Free-kicks must either be tapped or kicked to encourage more ball in flow.
The action of rolling/twisting/pulling of a player on their feet in the tackle area (the "crocodile roll") will be outlawed, sanctioned by a penalty.
The law changes come into effect from 1 July.
World Rugby also announced a set of law trials including the ability to replace a red-carded player after 20-minutes, and the introduction of a shot clock for scrum and lineout setting.
The 20-minute red card rule has been trialled in Super Rugby and across all grades of the community game in New Zealand.
Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2022 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
Other trials will include a law saying the ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not the current twice, and for the ability to mark the ball inside the 22 from a restart.
They will also trial play on at a lineout if the ball is not thrown straight but only if the lineout is uncontested, and another law aimed at protecting the scrum half at the base of the scrum, ruck and maul.
The nine will not be able to be played while the ball is still near a tackle, ruck or maul, and the offside line at the scrum for the non-putting in scrum half will be the middle of the tunnel.
"Personally, I believe that the law amendments and suite of closed trials will add to the entertainment factor," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.
"As with all trials, we will comprehensively review their effectiveness and take feedback from across the game."
- Reuters