Less scrums, hand washing, no team huddles... is this rugby’s future?
World Rugby will this week vote on a number of revolutionary new laws to tackle the threat of coronavirus to the future of the game. The plan has been put forward by World Rugby medical experts, who included the Wales team’s Prav Mathema, and involves measures to lessen the risk of players catching Covid19. The proposals will radically change the game and its dynamics from the very top of the sport to the bottom at grassroots and youth level. Walesonline Rugby Correspondent ANDY HOWELL examines the plans and what they could mean if passed by union law-makers. RESET SCRUMS BEING BANNED
Banishing reset scrums is one of the key conclusions of the study.
The experts examined transmission risk of Covid-19 through sweat and saliva of scrums and concluded props and locks are the most vulnerable players, spending an average of more than 13 minutes per match in high transmission risk situations.
Scrums were identified as making up half of high-risk exposure time with resets found to take up 3.6 minutes of game-time.
Banning them would reduce high-risk transmission exposure time by 30 per cent.
A range of options will be examined by the law review group to replace the reset scrum, with the awarding of a free-kick against the infringing team seeming the most likely. Andy Howell’s verdict: The southern hemisphere trialled something similar a few years ago in the Rugby Championship in an effort to speed up the game with free-kicks being awarded for most offences.
It was shot down by the northern hemisphere who feared it would devalue the scrum and lineout, the tradition of set-pieces, and reinforce the dominance of the southern hemisphere.
Having free-kicks instead of scrum resets, could make union faster, more skilful and more exciting to watch but it will come at a price.
For it would probably no longer be a game for all shapes and sizes, certainly at professional level, with athleticism and speed becoming even move important than the greater bulk we have always seen with front-row forwards.
It may be brought in initially as a temporary measure but, should it be a success, would in all likelihood become permanent much, one suspects, to the anguish of traditionalists. Some fans will love the quicker tempo of games, others will hate it and feel it’s more akin to rugby league than union.
UPRIGHT TACKLES OUTLAWED
The panel believe such a measure would reduce high-risk exposure to coronavirus by 20 per cent.
Choke tackles have already been outlawed and, technically, face-toface tackles aren’t allowed.
Andy Howell’s verdict: The legality of tackles is down to the interpretation of referees but the coronavirus pandemic is almost certain to lead to a crack down on borderline tackles.
If defenders are unable to tackle high it would allow attackers to keep their arms free and pass the ball in contact to teammates, which should lead to greater continuity, more entertaining rugby and more tries. That will certainly create great interest among fans, although they love a big hit as much as a thrilling try.
THE END OF TEAM HUDDLES
This will take some getting used to for sides at every level of the game.
It is one of rugby’s major traditions, not just full team huddles but also the forwards getting together at regular intervals of a game to discuss tactics and fire one another up.
Backs also huddle together when talking about moves and shackling the opposition while it would also mean the end of hugging and close contact when players celebrate scoring tries or victory.
And what about the pre-match tradition of a side firing themselves up in the dressing room by getting together and shouting out ‘Squeeze’?
Andy Howell’s verdict: The huddle, during games and also in the changing room for the pre-match ritual as they motivate each other, is part of rugby and what makes it such a special and unique sport.
It would be a shame to see the end of the huddle but, hopefully, it will only be temporary.
PERSONAL HYGIENE, CHANGING OF MATCH BALLS
Players will be ordered to wash their hands and face with soap for 20 seconds before kick-off and then during the half-time interval.
Spitting on the pitch would also be banned and the proposals require players change kit and headgear at half-time.
Match balls would also be changed and cleaned frequently.
Andy Howell’s verdict: Half-time intervals may have to be extended from 10 minutes to accommodate the number of players having to wash, particularly at amateur clubs with limited washing facilities.
Having two match kits, plus potentially a different warm-up kit, would add to the expense with it being an additional cost for community rugby clubs.