Law Application Guideline - January 2023

At a Shape of the Game conference in November 2022, all rugby stakeholders in the men’s XV game discussed ways of speeding up the game, reducing unnecessary stoppages and ensuring a safe spectacle was created for players, match officials and spectators alike.

As we near the showcase men’s rugby tournament for 2023, the following law application guidelines have been brought forward for implementation in the elite game. These focus areas ensure we retain a safe, speedy spectacle of rugby at Rugby World Cup 2023 and beyond.

While some areas are purely a focus for elite rugby (kick timings/shot clocks, water carriers, TMO), the general principles cover the whole of the game.

Speeding up the game

Players and match officials are reminded of the following existing laws which need to be strictly adhered to across the game at all levels:

For elite rugby, we encourage broadcasters and match hosts to implement on-screen (TV and stadia) shot clocks, usually administered by the Time Keeper, for penalties and conversion to ensure referees, players and spectators can monitor the adherence of these laws.

We also encourage Unions/Competitions to apply to trial reduced times for kicks at goal to speed the game up. The outcomes of these trials can then be fed into the law review process for 2023-27.

 

TMO Protocol

Match officials are reminded that the TMO process is for identifying and ensuring Clear and Obvious offences are dealt with on-field. The match official teams, led by the referee, should attempt to make speedier decisions and limit replays where not necessary.

Water carriers

The Global Law Trial on limiting the number of water carriers to two, and reducing the times they enter the field, has successfully reduced unnecessary stoppages and unnecessary influence by water carriers on players and match officials. However, creating set windows for water has created the impression of disrupting the game, even if that water was taken during a natural stoppage (try/injury/TMO review)

After taking feedback from stakeholders, we will be amending the Global Law Trial to allow water carriers onto the field when a try is scored. The timings will match the length of the kick taken. Only in a game with no tries in the first 20 minutes, should another natural stoppage be used. If an injury stoppage is used, the water carriers must leave the field when the medic does so.

Negative player action

Referees will be asked to be strong on negative player actions. For example, trapping players into ruck, and first arriving players (the jackler) not aiming to play the ball.

Players are reminded about their responsibilities not to hold the ball or walk off with the ball at penalties – this reduces attacking options by the non-offending team and slows the game down unnecessarily and will be sanctioned.

 

Players on the ground

Players who put their hands on the floor at tackles, rucks and mauls are subject to sanction, although judgement can be used if the player is using the ground briefly to maintain their own balance and stability.

 

Deliberate knock-ons

The issue of what is and what isn’t a deliberate knock on continues to cause debate. All participants are reminded of the following existing laws:

Players must endeavour to catch the ball. Referees are asked to show good judgement when deciding if a player has a reasonable expectation of catching and gaining possession, and then in determining a sanction. There is no formula for determining a Yellow Card sanction in these situations.