Taking a leaf from Super Rugby, north America’s Major League Rugby will this season use a selection of law variations.
For the 2021 season, which begins last weekend, the League will operate with these law changes:
- Kickers will have 60 seconds as opposed 90 seconds for any kick (conversion/penalty) and will have a kick clock to help guide them.
- Seven points will be automatically awarded for any try scored directly under the posts and no conversion will be necessary.
- Referees will work with stricter protocols that will limit the number of scrums to two per incident – the original plus one reset for a collapse, penalty, or freekick.
- The offside line will be the feed line/channel of the scrum to allow for unimpeded access to the ball at the back of the scrum for the attacking team.
- A red card will lead to a player being sent off and the team goes down to 14 players for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the player can be replaced with another player on the bench. The red carded players cannot return to the field in any event and will go through subsequent disciplinary procedures.
“Our goal is to continue to offer fans and teams fast paced, competitive rugby that is safe and balanced.” said Jonathan Kaplan, Match Official Director. “We believe these new laws will enhance our on-field product while staying true to the spirit of rugby.”
We’ll hope to be able to include the referee appointments in our weekly round ups!
Replaceing a red carded player removes the threat of a red card.
It becomes a ‘smack on the legs’ and not a blow to the team.
It’s being trialled in Super Rugby Aotearoa (NZ) too so let’s see what happens. 20 mins down to 14 is a reasonable chunk of a game and of course that would be a first choice player gone and a sub used up they won’t have catered for.
That is a consideration.
However, it diminishes the severity of the ‘Red Card’.
I feel this similarly reduces the ‘Authority’ of the match officials.
Personally I agree Adam, but it’s worth a trial in a top level comp. ^Keith
Lets see how it goes !
On another note, I’d like to see penalties awarded for Foul Play,repeated offences and Referees interpretation of ‘Danger’ …… ONLY.
‘Offside’ should be a “Free kick” to encourage continuous play.