Rugby Championship to continue trial of 20-minute red card

Thu, 28/07/2022, 7:14 am
Nathan Williamson


SANZAAR has confirmed the continual trial of the 20-minute red card in the 2022 Rugby Championship.

This will see any player who is red-carded during TRC replaced after 20 minutes.

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The decision has the backing of all four SANZAAR National Unions, who first trialled the law throughout Super Rugby in 2020 before its implementation in the 2021 Rugby Championship.

"This is a great decision for The Rugby Championship and follows on from its application in Super Rugby. All the SANZAAR national unions - Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - are fully behind the extension of the red-card law trail," SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said in a statement.

"As a group we firmly believe the integrity of international matches is very important and that wherever possible matches must be a contest of fifteen versus fifteen. "Within the context of the games' laws, SANZAAR believes that a 20-minute Red Card allows for a significant deterrent to deliberate acts of foul play, while it also protects the contest of fifteen on fifteen, which is what our unions, broadcasters and fans are telling us is important."

The law has been trialled globally, however, World Rugby opted against making it permanent at the start of the year after reported backlash from other nations.

SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris believes the decision reinforces their position regarding the ruling whilst providing further data surrounding its effectiveness as they push for its inclusion.

"The aim is to gather the necessary information that allows the 20-minute red card trial to be accepted into the full laws of the game in the future."

The Rugby Championship will adopt a 'mini-tours' format, with the Wallabies set to travel to Argentina and All Blacks off to South Africa to kick off the tournament on August 7.

“This season we are very excited to be bringing international rugby back to fans across all of our home territories for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic with an innovative new mini-tours format as we are committed to exploring ways to continually improve the competition," added Morris.

Both the Wallabies and All Blacks were reduced to 14 men during their July series' against England and Ireland respectively.

Brumbies lock Darcy Swain was sent off in the first half of their 30-28 opening Test win due to a headbutt whilst Angus Ta'avao drew the ire of the referee after his collision with Garry Ringrose

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/rugby-...d-card-2022727

Stupidest decision they could have made.

World Cup next year and they decide to continue with a system that has made a massive difference to the way games are being played rather than preparing for the way it will be adjudicated at the World Cup.

Maybe it's an admission that France will probably win?