Rugby chiefs to look at laws overhaul in a bid to simplify game
WORLD Rugby has set up a technical group to look at overhauling the laws of the game.
And it could well result in half the law book being shredded.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was vocal about the law book needing a revamp following a number of controversial refereeing decisions in the Test series with the Lions.
The major talking point was in the last seconds of the deciding third Test and French referee Romain Poite's decision not to award New Zealand a penalty to potentially win the series when Lions hooker Ken Owens appeared to play the ball in an offside position.
It led former Wales supremo Hansen to call for simpler laws and their correct interpretation.
In an attempt to simplify the laws and make the game easier to understand, a World Rugby technical group will head up the Laws Simplification Project which is set to be completed by late 2018.
New Zealand Rugby has nominated its high-performance referee manager, Rod Hill, to help run the project, while two representatives from South Africa, one from England and three from World Rugby complete the technical group.
“This project was about starting from scratch and making sure it reads well and to reshape the law book to get that as an outcome. What we're looking for is: Is the intent of the law is still correct? Are there any glaring errors?,” Hill told stuff.co.nz
Before the revision of the laws is signed off, World Rugby will send it to all the national unions for feedback.
“We've reduced the number of words in the law book by 50%,” Hill said.
“What's happened over a period of time, is that, as there's been some changes, they've just been added to the law book and it's a bit piecemeal. So you had exceptions here and there.”
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, who is set to take over at Glasgow Warriors, is the only other New Zealander on the technical group.
He said: “They're simple changes that bring into law what most people thought was law anyway. So it's just common sense.
“A lot of the laws have been tidied up to do the obvious – make it easier for the punters to understand, and coaches and players hopefully.
“You know what coaches are like, too, we find ways around the law. So less laws, less chances to do that.”
Meanwhile, World Rugby plans to trial the seven new laws that were introduced at the U20 Championship on a global scale for the 2017-18 season.
One of the variations will see the tackler being able to play the ball from his side of the gate only, and a change to what constitutes a ruck.
It's reported England are believed to be the only union opposed to the implementation of these laws on a trial basis.