World Rugby reveal plans to speed up the game،
World Rugby has revealed plans to “reinvent rugby's entertainment factor”, including 20-minute penalties for red cards, ball acceleration during the ruck and maul, and a set time to complete scrums and lineups, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The governing body fears slow play and negative tactics could turn away new viewers, with a focus on “improving ball flow, reducing stoppages and increasing welfare outcomes “.
A specialist working group will be set up to study a revised punishment for red cards, according to which the sanctioned player's place on the pitch can be taken by a teammate after 20 minutes, thus nullifying the numerical advantage of his opponents.
However, tougher off-field sanctions for foul play are also being considered, which could result in players being suspended for longer periods.
World Rugby will also review the number and timing of substitutions “to create more space on the field while improving the injury rate”, potentially canceling the Springboks' famous 'Bomb Squad' which was used to win the last two World Cups.
In place immediately, referees must tell players to use the ball at the base of a scrum/breakdown earlier, giving them a five-second time limit to do so. This is to prevent teams from stagnating before the next phase of play.
The World Rugby Council will also consider other amendments at its meeting on May 9, including an adjustment to the law on the game when there are kicks in open play.
Current law allows what is called “kick tennis”, in which teams exchange territorial kicks in each other's half, which often only end when one team puts the ball out of the game or in the event of an error.
A trial is currently underway in the Super Rugby Pacific competition in which players in front of the kicker can only be played in play by the kicker himself advancing, or by a chasing teammate who has started behind the kicker.
Currently, players are onside when the kick receiver travels five yards, but cannot move that far, creating statues on the field as the ball passes over their heads and little entertainment for spectators.
World Rugby will also ask unions to implement a series of trials in their domestic competitions which will limit the time taken to complete scrums and lineouts, similar to the 'shot clock' for penalties and conversions.
They will also enforce a law that states the ball must be played after a maul has been stopped once, not twice, and for the ability to score the ball inside the 22 from a reboot.
