Downgrading of red card by World Rugby a step closer
NEWS: World Rugby on Tuesday proposed a series of changes to its laws including reducing the impact of the red card, “aimed at enhancing both fan and player experience”.
Under the proposed change, a team that loses a player to a red card can bring on a replacement after 20 minutes.
Mauls can only stop once before the team with the ball has to move it away.
Scrumhalves will receive what World Ruby called “enhanced protection… at scrums, rucks and mauls.”
Other proposals are designed to speed up the game, with 30-second scrum and line-out put-in limits and timed conversions.
Play will continue at line-outs if the ball is not thrown in straight but the opposition doesn’t jump.
World Rugby tested the rules in the recent Rugby Championship, Pacific Nations Cup, and Women’s XV tournament.
It said that in the trial games, playing time was “up by more than two minutes and 30 seconds, reaching more than 33 minutes per match” while matches took up to five minutes less to finish.
The World Rugby Council is due to vote on the changes on November 14.
“These trials demonstrate our commitment to making rugby as enjoyable as possible for audiences,” said World Rugby chairman Billy Beaumont.
The full World Rugby statement
Law amendments recommended to go to global trial
- Reduced conversion time: Conversion attempts limited to 60 seconds, aligning with penalty kicks and quickening game pace.
- 30-second scrum and lineout limit: Scrums and lineouts must be set within 30 seconds, managed by the referee.
- Marking inside the 22m line: Players can now mark the ball inside the 22-metre line from a restart, encouraging more contestable kick-offs.
- Single-stop mauls: The ball must be played after one stoppage in a maul, improving game flow.
- Play-on in uncontested lineouts: Play will continue if the ball is not thrown straight during uncontested lineouts, reducing unnecessary breaks.
- Protection of the scrum-half: Enhanced protection for the scrum-half at scrums, rucks and mauls encourages fluid open play.
Positive feedback and game impact
With trials continuing across the globe, the World Rugby Executive Board unequivocally endorsed the programme, noting widespread approval from players, coaches, referees and fans alike, as well as statistics which strongly suggest a positive impact on the sport in line with the objective. Headline results include:
- Increased ball-in-play time: Up by more than two minutes and 30 seconds, reaching more than 33 minutes per match.
- Shorter total match time: Reduced by three-five minutes due to fewer stoppages.
- Higher restart contestability: A 45 per cent increase in contestable restarts.
- More dynamic mauls: A 10 per cent increase in ball-out time, with maul durations shortened by three seconds.
- Fewer lineout infringements: Play on from not-straight throws led to increased lineout success and contestability.
- Quicker set pieces and kicks: Scrum and lineout set-up times dropped, and goal kicks are 15 seconds faster.
Television Match Official protocol and simplified red card sanction process endorsed
The Executive Board also endorsed updates to the Television Match Official (TMO) protocol, empowering officials to spot clear infringements in the final phases before scoring. A simplified red card process featuring standardised sanctions and the ability to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes, was also supported after successful initial trials in World Rugby competitions.
Next steps
The trials will go out to union and region consultation ahead of the World Rugby Council meeting on 14 November. Subject to approval by the Council, World Rugby will work closely with member unions, competition owners and key stakeholders to finalise the timeline and processes for global adoption.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “This is another important step forward for the Shape of the Game programme. As a package, these trials demonstrate our commitment to making rugby as enjoyable as possible for audiences, while maintaining the integrity and competitive nature of the game. The positive outcomes from the trials reinforce our belief that these adjustments will bring lasting benefits to both players and fans.”
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