New World Rugby Law Trials

[DingDong]

For those interested, this has just been published, with the intention of having these reffed stricter and more consistently, fingers crossed it's going to be reffed strictly as the breakdown desperately needs it, but don't hold your breath!!

The Law 14 and 15 application guideline will be operational for all competitions commencing after 1 July, 2020 and reinforces the application of current law for what is a complex and dynamic facet of the game.

With a focus on player welfare and game attractiveness, a specialist breakdown group comprising international coaches, players, medical, laws and research experts, considered current trends and challenges and considered law change before recommending a strict reinforcement of existing law as the most appropriate and successful course of action, specifically:

Tackler (Law 14): 14.5 – must a) Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground and b) Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.
Ball Carrier (Law 14): 14.2 – Being brought to ground means that the ball-carrier is lying, sitting or has at least one knee on the ground or on another player who is on the ground. 14.5 – Tacklers must: d) Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball.
First arriving player (Law 15): 15.11 – Once a ruck has formed, no player may handle the ball unless they were able to get their hands on the ball before the ruck formed and stay on their feet. 15.12 – Players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck.
Other arriving players (Law 15): 5 – An arriving player must be on their feet and join from behind their offside line. 6 – A player may join alongside but not in front of the hindmost player. 10 – Possession may be won either by rucking or by pushing the opposing team off the ball.

World Rugby has produced a comprehensive visual guide, including video explanations, for the rugby community on its laws website, laws.worldrugby.org.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The breakdown is the most dynamic facet of the game and it is increasingly difficult to referee, but just as importantly, it is responsible for nine per cent of match injuries.

“Therefore it was important that we looked to identify ways to reduce the risk of injury, while promoting a fair contest for the ball.

“The group looked at a range of potential solutions, including potential law trials, but they unanimously agreed that the best practical and evidenced approach is to reinforce existing law, rather than law change.

“In particular, there will be focus on the ball carrier playing or placing the ball immediately, the tackler releasing immediately, rewarding the player who wins the race to the contest, penalising side entry and players who dive, not drive, into rucks.”

[Mark62]

So they are going to start reffing it properly we’ll see.
Arriving on your feet to me is key and staying on them, arriving with your shoulders above your hip height, as well as taking players out past the ruck so the other side are able to ruck.

Will be more interested to see the 50/20 law if that comes into effect

[Scott1]

I really hope they do police the missiling over rucks!

[jgriffin]

If this is done properly, a massive improvement and also a contribution to driving towards more aerobic demands (and lower weight).

[ay2oh]

If they referee this correctly that’s Exeter F*****.

[voice of the crumbie]

If they referee this correctly that’s Exeter F*****.

You beat me to it. My thoughts also. This would nullify 50% of Kvesic's breakdown play for starters.

[ay2oh]

They just need to outlaw blocking now and Exeter might as well pack in

[mol2]

For too long the attacking side have been allowed to dive head/shoulder first to prevent the defending side stealing the ball and or allow proper rucking. It is one of the most dangerous aspects of the game with diving clear outs hitting legitimately positioned opponents who are on their feet at knee height.
No binding just launching themselves and so long as they go beyond the ruck the refs do nothing. If the defending side does it then they get penalised. Has to be policed.

[BFG]

If it stops the diving in like a missile then good and shared blame for creating diving in has to go to tacklers not immediately releasing which itself got worse because they couldn't trust the refs interpretation of a completed tackle.
What is going to be interesting is how they police 14.5 b and 14.2 d in relation to the formation of a ruck and in particular defensive interference.

[Old Hob]

Other arriving players (Law 15): 5 – An arriving player must be on their feet and join from behind their offside line. 6 – A player may join alongside but not in front of the hindmost player. 10 – Possession may be won either by rucking or by pushing the opposing team off the ball.

I'd be interested to learn members definition of "Proper rucking". Rucking is mentioned in the law and to me means players, on their feet striking for the ball with the foot in an attempt to heel it back.

[Greenwhiteandred]

Yep - that’s my recollection of rucking but I think in the modern day it just means pushing the opposition off the ball whilst it’s on floor. I would be happy if we saw more of that rather than missiling and players off their feet and past the ball which seems de rigeur these days

[JP14]

As long these are rigorously enforced than that’s fine by me, I have seen numerous occasions at Welford Road this season of both sides rucking dangerously.

[Old Hob]

Yep - that’s my recollection of rucking but I think in the modern day it just means pushing the opposition off the ball whilst it’s on floor. I would be happy if we saw more of that rather than missiling and players off their feet and past the ball which seems de rigeur these days

I agree. It's just that the new law says "rucking OR by pushing..." and being a bear of little brain, I can't see - in the modern game - what anybody does but push. Along the ground. Like Elephant seals.