2012 - 2013 Law Variation Trials

IRB Council Approved
Law Amendment Trials

The following Law amendments have been approved for global trial by IRB Council. The implementation dates are the start of the next Northern Hemisphere season at, or around, September 1, 2012, and the start of the next Southern Hemisphere season at, or around, January 1, 2013. It is not intended that a Member Union should implement the trial Law amendments mid season or mid competition. Member Unions will be given the opportunity to provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback on the trials. Unions will be requested to comment on the Law Trials at a future date. The process for providing feedback will be outlined in the near future.


1. Law 3.4 Players Nominated as Substitute
Current Law 3.4:
For international matches a Union may nominate up to seven replacements/substitutes.
Amend Law 3.4 to read:
For international matches a Union may nominate up to eight replacements/substitutes.
Please note m Law 3.4 trial is for application from the November window international matches.

2. Law 4 Players Clothing - Provisions Permitting the Use of GPS
IRB Council confirmed that the current provisions relating to Unions' dispensation for the use of GPS equipment will continue. Details can be obtained from the IRB Technical Services Department.

3. Law 4.2 Special Additional Items of clothing for women
Current Law 4.2 to become 4.2 (a).
Add new 4.2 (b):
Female players may wear cotton blend long tights with single inside leg seam under their shorts and socks.

4. Law 4.3 Studs
The sole configuration below was approved for trial:

Save for the above configuration, studs must be compliant with Law 4 and IRB Specifications (Regulation 12). 

 

5.    Law 6.A.6 (b) Referee Consulting with Others
IRB Council approved trials which will extend the powers of the TMO. The trials will take place in selected competitions. Protocols will be circulated at a later date.

6.    Law 9.B.1 Taking a Conversion Kick
Current 9.B.1 (e):
The kicker must take the kick within one minute from the time the kicker has indicated an intention to kick. The intention to kick is signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or the player makes a mark on the ground. The player must complete the kick within one minute even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.
Amend 9.B.1 (e) to read:
The kick must be taken within one minute and thirty seconds (ninety seconds) of a try being scored, even if the ball rolls over and is placed again.

7.    Law 12 1 Outcome of a Knock-On or Throw Forward
Add new 12.1 (e):
Knock-on or throw forward into to touch. When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on or throw forward, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line, or a scrum at the place of the knock-on or throw forward. The non-offending team may exercise this option by taking a quick throw-in.
Current Law 12.1 (e) becomes 12.1 (f).

8. Law 16.7 Unsuccessful End to a Ruck
Add new 16.7 (c):
When the ball has been clearly won by a team at a ruck and the ball is available to be played the referee will call "use it" after which the ball must be played within five seconds. If the ball is not played within the five seconds the referee will award a scrum and the team not in possession of the ball at the ruck is awarded the throw-in.

9.    Law 19.2 Quick Throw-In
Current 19.2 (b):
For a quick throw-in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the place where the ball went into touch and the player's goal line.
Amend 19.2 (b) to read:
For a quick throw-in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and the player's goal line.



10. Law 20.1 (g) Forming a Scrum
Current 20.1 (g):
The referee will call "crouch" then "touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing props outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "pause". Following a pause the referee will then call "engage". The front rows may then engage. The "engage" call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready.
Amend 20.1 (g) to read:
The referee will call "crouch" then "touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "set" when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then engage. The "set" call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together
when ready.


11.    21.4 Penalty and Free Kick Options and Requirements
Add new 21.4 (b)
Lineout Alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw-in. This is in addition to the scrum option. Current 21.4 (b) to (k) become (c) to (I).

Sevens Variations - Effective June 1 2012 Law 3.4 - Number of Players
Amend Law 3.4 to read:
A team may nominate up to five replacements/substitutes. A team may substitute or replace up to five players.



Edited by scarletman - 31 May 2012 at 12:11pm

Refs calling "use it" after 5s - fine, and we were expecting that.

Good move on the toe stud though ... Now that "rucking" has been dumbed down, the "Weapon" element of this stud is removed, so should give better stability to the Props at Scrum Engagement !

I know some Half Backs & Wingers who will question the Equality Act over No.3 .... 

Only one front to stud as oppopsed 2 on front row, two more rows of two then the rear stuff.

I was hoping for a change in the law regarding the shirts worn by front rows.

The reason was although it gave an anchor point for the bind, it also gave an advantage to the opposition in the tackle / ruck ie something more substantial to get a better grip on to either drag away from the breakdown, or to make a "dead weight" tackle !To be fair to all situations, all shirrts would have to have two "handles" to create a "level playing field" !


Edited by scarletman - 01 June 2012 at 12:28am

scarletman wrote: The reason was although it gave an anchor point for the bind, it also gave an advantage to the opposition in the tackle / ruck ie something more substantial to get a better grip on to either drag away from the breakdown, or to make a "dead weight" tackle !To be fair to all situations, all shirrts would have to have two "handles" to create a "level playing field" !

Forgot about the increased risk of finger/wrist dislocations/fractures that was deemed too large to consider the addition of bind handles.