World Rugby plan to rollout ‘global trial’ of controversial 20-minute red card in disciplinary shake-up
Wayne Barnes shows a red card to New Zealand's Sam Cane during the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
World Rugby has unveiled a comprehensive phased plan aimed at ‘enhancing rugby’s global appeal’. This plan includes a series of law trials and innovative changes, including a 20-minute red card global trial.
This comes after the ‘Shape of the Game forum’ that was recently held and one of the law trails that will be voted on during World Rugby’s Council meeting in May.
The controversial 20-minute red card law is currently being trialled in Super Rugby Pacific but could be rolled out globally depending on the vote’s outcome.
The SANZAAR nations – South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – have expressed their support for a change in the red card sanction. They propose to replace the current permanent sending-off with a 20-minute removal from the field, allowing the player to be replaced.
On and off-field sanctions
Changing the red card sanction is part of the fourth phase of World Rugby’s five phases to enhance rugby’s global appeal.
“Specialist working groups will be established to further explore aspects identified by the Shape of the Game forum for further consideration. Recommendations will be made to Council,” a World Rugby statement read.
Included in this phase are the on and off-field sanctions.
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While the red card will be devalued, the suggested plan would increase the off-field suspensions for players.
“Comprehensive review of the sport’s disciplinary and sanctioning processes with the objective of streamlining, increasing simplicity, consistency and fan understanding,” the statement added.
“A key consideration will be the potential to combine stronger off-field sanctions for foul play with a global red card trial where a carded player is removed for the duration of the match but may be replaced by another player after 20 minutes.”
The working groups will also address safety and spectacle issues around the tackle, ruck and breakdown, as well as the TMO protocols, replacements and fan experience.
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