Pichot: Use Hawk-Eye and move offside line back 2m

Agustin Pichot has proposed moving the offside line back two metres and believes Hawk-Eye must be introduced in an attempt to create more space for attacking rugby.

Players are supposed to keep behind the rear foot at the breakdown, but Pichot says the line is constantly transgressed and officials are unable to police it properly.

That has made many games defence-oriented and World Rugby’s vice-chairman says NFL-style technology should be used to spot infringements.

“We have the technology so let’s use it as they do in NFL,” Pichot said. “The referee has too much to do working out what is going on at the ruck, while the touch judges have a string of 12 players right across the pitch to judge on.

“Let’s use the technology and that will soon sort it. Within five games, players will know that Hawk-Eye is watching and will stay back. Or perhaps we should introduce a law that says players should be two metres behind the rear foot. We have seen at this World Cup that the space is at a premium. It is too defensive for my liking.”

The former Argentina halfback was disappointed to see the Pumas head out of the World Cup after losing to England, an outcome that was defined by the sending off in the 18th minute of lock Tomas Lavanini.

Pichot makes no apology for the crackdown on high tackles.

“It is the right thing to do and even though, as an ex-Argentina player, it hurts me a lot to see what happened on Saturday and the impact Lavanini’s red card had, it was the correct decision,” Pichot said.

“Player safety is everything and the head is a no-go area. Rugby is a tough sport but it does not have to be a rough sport. If you want to see people hit, go and watch UFC. If we hadn’t moved to make the head sacred, then in 10 years’ time there would be no sport for mums and dads to take their kids to.

“We have to change behaviour as well as attitudes. All this talk of what it takes to be a hard sport, talk that rugby has gone soft, is bull **** . It is not only the professional player we have to protect. He can take a hit. A 13-year-old cannot.”

Pichot was the driver behind the extension to five years of the old three-year residency ruling for a player to become eligible for an adopted country. There has been widespread criticism of countries identifying overseas players that might make up for a potential shortfall in a position and nurturing them across that three-year period with a view to coming into the national team. Munster lock Jean Kleyn made Ireland’s World Cup squad despite only winning his first cap in the warmup match against Italy.

“I am glad it will go to five years after the World Cup and I wish it had been even longer,” Pichot said. “We have to uphold the integrity of the international game.”