Super Rugby to trial Yellow Card upgrade process for 2023

• Yellow Card TMO reviews will take place after sanctioned players leave the field – upgrades possible to 20min red card
• TMO interruptions will be restricted to serious clear and obvious dangerous play
• Time limits will be enforced for kicks at goal, lineouts, scrums and rucks
• Scrum half no follow round at scrum
• Golden point (in 10min extra time) for drawn matches

Super Rugby has announced a series of law innovations for the upcoming season which starts on 24 February. The eye catcher is a new Red Card route which will see most serious incidents being reviewed by the TMO and being upgraded from a Yellow Card to a Red card if the on-field teams can’t make a quick decision after one or two looks. Super Rugby bosses want to stop multiple replays being examined multiple times, taking multiple minutes by the referee, ARs and TMOs.

In a shift from previous seasons however, not all red cards will see a 20 minute replacement. Serious acts of foul play will lead to permanent exclusion, but any Yellow Card getting an upgrade will become a 20 minute red card as before with numbers retained at 15 a side for more of the game. The upgrade will be confirmed to sidelines, stadium fans and to broadcasters. The ‘how’ is still being worked on.

Speaking to the media today, former Super Rugby referee, now high performance referee coach, Mike Fraser said explained that they expect all bar the rare, traditional acts of gratuitous foul play to be dealt with in this way during the trial. There is a hope that the referee will be able to get to speedy decisions, before being reviewed and confirmed by the TMO over an eight minute window if needed, ready for a sin-bin player to return. In Super Rugby, there will be a pool of TMOs as well as the referee group who will be used on occasion. Expect to see regular names such as Australia’s Brett Cronin and James Leckie and NZ’s Brendon Pickerill, Glenn Newman, Chris Hart, Shane McDermott and Richard Kelly all in the truck making these calls.

In the briefing, Fraser did confirm a second pair eyes would be alongside the TMO to ensure that the game was being monitored when the TMO was reviewing any yellow cards.

Shot clocks

Following the law application guidelines issued by World Rugby in January, referees will enforce 90 seconds time limits on conversions, 60 seconds for penalty kicks as well as 30 seconds for scrums. They will also expect lineouts to be formed within 30 seconds of the respective mark being set. At the moment, World Rugby law does not set any time in law on a lineout – just that it is formed without delay.
Organisers have confirmed that for this season, the shot clocks won’t be visible on broadcast or stadiums; “We’ll ensure that when we do introduce visible shot clocks they will be industry leading and the best outcome for Players, Officials and Fans.”

Scrum half

The scrum half trial is an extension of one trialled extensively across New Zealand in their community game. The non-putting in scrum half will have to remain in the middle of the scrum, and stay within 1m of it. Their existing other options – to their own back foot line, or to join their own backs 5m back – remain the same.

More entertaining

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Tournament Director Matt Barlow said the law innovations agreed by teams and with the support of World Rugby were designed to make the game more entertaining for fans and safer and more enjoyable for players.

“We want Super Rugby Pacific to be the most entertaining, innovative and fastest professional rugby competition in the world. We’ve listened to our fans and taken steps to reduce stoppages and video replays, increase flow and maintain the integrity of the competition and the safety of players in regard to yellow and red cards.

“Players, coaches and referees are excited about these innovations, and we believe they will create a better fan experience both at the game and for those watching on television.”

Barlow stressed player welfare would not be jeopardised by the law innovations, which would put more spotlight on dangerous and foul play but do it in a way that did not have such a big impact on the viewing experience for spectators.

“The review process for dangerous play will be as vigorous as ever and we believe TMOs will be able to make better judgements about the seriousness of foul play offences without the pressure of having to watch replays under stressful time constraints. There is also the addition of a stronger deterrent for deliberate foul play with the referee having the option of issuing a full Red Card.

“We know players and fans don’t want to watch multiple frame-by-frame replays while they wait for the match to resume, so we believe we’ve struck the right balance.”

Barlow said it was also important to maintain the integrity of the game by making sure crucial decisions were not rushed.

“TMOs will still be reviewing the two phases before a try is scored and can still be called upon by the referee to check things like the ball being grounded when a try has been scored. The difference will be the Match Official Team will lead the process and viewers will not see as many replays.”