Kings on the ball with penalties

THE Southern Kings have made special plans to ensure they do not fall foul of World Rugby’s decision to introduce strict penalties for making contact with the head of an opposition player.

All contact, whether accidental or deliberate, will be punishable as part of a zero-tolerance campaign to limit injuries and “ensure the head is a no-go area”.

The revised rules, which came into force at all levels of the sport on January 3, will see all reckless tackles earn at least a yellow card and any accidental contact will result in a penalty.

There are no fears that the revised rules could result in a spate of cards and that they could also reduce the spectacle of the contest.

“We have been highlighting the new rules in our team sessions,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.

The Kings also got a referee changes will pose problems for the Kings.

“As a rule, overall we do not tackle high. We go for leg chops or around the hips. If you tackle around the hips you go onto the ball,” Tromp said.

“The rule for us at the Kings is that you do not go above the ball.”

All eyes will be on the referee when the Kings face the Jaguares in their opening match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 25.

In the corresponding game in Port Elizabeth last season, the Jaguares were down to 12 men after New Zealand referee Nick Briant dished out two red cards and a yellow.

The display of ill-discipline still lingers on the Jaguares camp and their head coach Raul Perez made mention of it when he looked ahead to his team’s visit to Port Elizabeth later this month.

“The immediate challenge is to put in practice within the group all the experience we accumulated last year,” Perez said.

“And I remember when we played against the Kings in Port Elizabeth, our indiscipline cost us. And I think that’s the challenge.”

In Australia there are fears the strict new rules will change Super Rugby.

The Waratahs are even adjusting their pre-season plans around the revised rules. In their view, operating with 14 or 13 players on the field at some point during each game, could become a reality.

The rules have been received controversially in Europe after taking effect on January 3 in the English Premiership and Pro12, with a raft of high-profile commentators and former players questioning their wisdom and, more pointedly, their implementation by referees.