World Rugby meeting agenda details revealed including Bomb Squads, scrum cards and TMO verdicts
Springboks replacement RG Snyman and an inset of a TMO review.
Details as to what World Rugby has on its agenda for the upcoming Shape of the Game conference have been revealed.
Leading figures in the game will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the way forward for rugby union, particularly around law changes and implementation with the 2027 Rugby World Cup fast approaching.
It’s not uncommon for such a conference to be held, but this one is particularly important, with any changes to the lawbook that need to be made sooner rather than later to allow for any kinks and for teams to adapt before the global tournament Down Under.
Ahead of the meeting, two publications have revealed what is on World Rugby’s docket and what it is not.
Bomb Squads
According to a report by Times Sport, the number of replacements will not be discussed despite claims that it is a player safety concern.
The importance of the impact off the bench in the modern game has been in the spotlight in recent years with the Springboks popularising the ‘Bomb Squad’, which played a pivotal role in Rassie Erasmus’ men winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups.
Former World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont is one of the high-profile detractors of the tactics, as he believes that fewer substitutions would open up the game in the latter stages and lead to more exciting spectacles.
Ireland legend Keith Wood has also called for a reduction in the number of replacements while ex-Scotland head coach Matt Williams has been the most vocal in his protests.
However, last year World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin revealed that the replacements don’t pose a safety risk as so many claim.
“We looked at it from a science, medicine perspective. Was there a distinctive view that a bunch of fresh players coming on with 20‑30 minutes to go is going to create a more injurious position, and the science said that’s not the case,” he said.
“So there was no reason from that perspective to look at how we might do replacements differently. Ultimately, there are a lot of different ways to win a rugby match.”
World Rugby seem content with the findings from last year, with the report by The Times stating that the topic won’t be revisited this year.
While South Africa may have pioneered the recent focus on the substitutes and the forward-heavy splits, the likes of England, Scotland, and France have also adopted them.
Additionally, the publication states that “the issue of props being given yellow cards simply for being continually outmuscled in scrums” also won’t be discussed.
The game between Ireland and South Africa last November resulted in outrage after the former had props Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy sent to the sin-bin after being dominated by the Bok front-row.
It was reported that Six Nations officials would discuss the sanction before the 2026 Championship, but those discussions seemingly won’t continue into the World Rugby conference.
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SA Rugby to take World Rugby to task over TMOs
Meanwhile, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus’ YouTube podcast has provided clear indications as to what SA Rugby will be wanting to discuss at the meeting with three episodes of Rassie+ all titled Shape of the Game.
Felix Jones will present the Springboks’ case at the meeting, according to a report by Afrikaans publication Rapport and will be joined by CEO Rian Oberholzer and GM of High Performance Dave Wessels.
The report states that the role and powers of the TMO (Television Match Official) will be discussed at the meeting, with the likes of New Zealand and Australia eager to limit its influence, while SA Rugby are placing more importance on ensuring the right outcome.
The publication cites several sources who ‘strongly believe’ that there is nothing wrong with the TMO process currently in place but one source said, ‘There should be more invested in the staff’.
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“A question that will be asked is why World Rugby didn’t invest in someone like Wayne Barnes, Nigel Owens or Jaco Peyper to become TMOs after they retired as top referees.
“They didn’t want to be on the field anymore but they are the best decision-makers, so why doesn’t World Rugby involve them as TMOs?”
It is added that Springbok assistant Jones’ voice will carry weight in the meetings as a widely respected coach, as SA Rugby attempts to defend what they believe to be the identity of the game.
