IRB brings back technical zones
Law to keep 'helpers' in their place and off the field
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the reintroduction of Technical Zones for all Test matches. The new zones, which are designed to aid game management for match officials, will return ahead of matches in the June Test window.
Those who managed to catch non-foggy bits of the Super 14 Final would have heard the commentators remark that the Hurricanes' coach, Aussie McLean, had gone to the "far side" of the field and been sent back. The commentator remarked: "Obviously there is a protocol of where the coaches can or can't be."
The week before, the Waratahs' assistant reported on a conversation between Tappe Henning the touch judge and Jonathan Kaplan the referee. He got it wrong but what he had to say fuelled the post-match controversy.
South Africa has recently decided to reinstate the technical area for Currie Cup matches.
Now the IRB has laid it down – again – for Test matches. The propose of the technical zone is to restrict the movement of "water-carriers/medical personnel" are often really coaching staff in disguise.
“Presently there are a number of Game management issues faced by Match Officials which include regulating the movement of team personnel on and off the field of play, the introduction of water carriers, congested touchlines and in some cases abuse of officials," explained Paddy O'Brien, the famous referee who is now the IRB's Referees Manager.
"The reintroduction of the Technical Zone is a measure that is designed to bring back control to the Match Officials.”
“This is the second time that Technical Zones have been introduced for Test matches. In 2002 Technical Zones were introduced to limit movement of non-playing personal on and off the field of play and proved to be successful in managing team personnel at Test level.
"However, they were dispensed with in 2003 following the lobbying by some Unions who felt that water carriers and medical staff should have ready access to the field of play.
“However, with the number of team personnel ever increasing at Test level there is a clear need to control the movement of team personnel. Not only is the referee’s ability to manage the game seriously impeded, but there is also a negative impact on the presentation of the Game."
The new technical zones have the same objective as those of 2002 but are slightly different in operation.
Positioned either side of the halfway line inside the playing enclosure, the new zones will not exceed ten metres in length and three metres in width and must not be less than two metres from the touchline.
Only two medical officers (e.g. doctor and physiotherapist) and two water carriers per team will be permitted to operate in its Technical Zone on the same side of the field as its reserve bench. Player safety is paramount and one of the medical officers will be permitted to operate from the technical zone on the opposite side of the field for rapid response.
No other team officials or players are permitted in the Technical Zones, which will be managed by the fourth and fifth officials – the men, usually referees, who regulate the coming and going of players during the match, dealing with substitutions, replacements and sin-binning.
Water may only be taken on to the field during a stoppage in play for injuries and also when a try has been scored.
“This protocol was endorsed by the IRB Medical Advisory Committee, which agreed that there is no medical reason for precluding the introduction of technical areas," said O'Brian.
“Technical Zones currently operate at all IRB Sevens Series events to great effect and have been welcomed by the Match Officials, respected by the participating teams, while enhancing the overall presentation of the Game."
