In an exciting bid to boost the pace and dynamism of the game, the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup will introduce a set of law modifications that have already proven successful during the 2023 Super Rugby season.
The main goal of these changes is to optimize the speed and continuity of play. Key actions like goal kicks, set pieces, and rucks will now be subject to time restrictions, ensuring a faster and smoother flow to the game.
Moreover, a major alteration will be seen in the Television Match Official (TMO) process. A more streamlined approach will be implemented, limiting TMO intervention to only clear instances of foul play. This reduction in interruptions will maintain the game's rhythm and keep the excitement going.
To maintain a sense of urgency, referees will enforce specific time limits for each action on the field. For instance, conversions will be allotted a maximum of 90 seconds, penalty kicks 60 seconds, scrums and lineouts 30 seconds, and rucks must see the ball being used within 5 seconds.
Get ready for a thrilling and fast-paced Rugby World Cup like never before! These innovations are set to take the rugby experience to a whole new level.
The key changes are summarised in bullet points below:
- The referee will put a stopwatch shot clock on kickers who will have 90 seconds to kick a conversion from the time a try is awarded, and 60 seconds for penalties, from the time the referee signals a shot at goal.
- Match officials will expect lineouts and scrums to be formed within 30 seconds of the respective marks being set, and the ball to be used within 5 seconds of a ruck being formed.
Scrum down for Kyle Sinckler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
- TMOs only ‘interrupt’ play to investigate serious, clear and obvious incidents of dangerous play missed by the Match Official team.
- Referees can utilise the TMO to make a Yellow Card decision, but any extended TMO video reviews will take place once the player has left the field, not before the Yellow Card is issued.
Referee, Frank Murphy goes to the TMO during the Heineken Champions Cup Match between Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate on 15 April. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
- The TMO will have 8 minutes to either uphold a 10-minute Yellow Card decision or upgrade it to a 20-minute Red Card, in which case the player will not return to the field, but can still be replaced. Basically the same as the orange card concept.
- Referees will now also have the power to issue a full Red Card for deliberate foul play, in which case the player will not return to the field and cannot be replaced.
Referee Tom Foley shows a red card to Saracens player Robin Hislop during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Sale Sharks and Saracens at the AJ Bell Stadium on 5th March Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK
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