SANZAAR, organisers of The Rugby Championship have announced they are to include some of the u20s closed law trials in the 2024 TRC which kicks off this weekend.
The adaptions will include:
- Reduced shot clock for conversion: 60 seconds (from 90) and a set time for both lineout and scrum formation (30 seconds)
- 20 minute red card replacement (with a full red for most egregious acts of foul play)
- Play on if an uncontested lineout isn’t thrown straight (but must still go to a player in the LO)
- Scrum half offside line is tunnel – plus additional space for 9s at back of ruck and maul
Other measures which have been trialled at the World Rugby u20s, and will be in the forthcoming WXV and Pacific Nations Cup competitions, won’t be used in the TRC. They include a one-stop maul and the ability to call a Mark from a kick off or restart.
All the measures encourge a speedier flow to the game and removes or reduces unnecessary stoppages. World Rugby have sad they will be evaluating all the trials ahead of November’s Council meeting.
Commenting on the law variations, SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said, “The Rugby Championship is the flagship of the sport in the southern hemisphere. We believe this year’s championship, that has been keenly anticipated by the players and rugby fans, will again exhibit the best of what the game has to offer with exciting, tough action on the field, enhanced by the evolution in the Laws of the Game.”