SANZAAR has confirmed the roll out of several Law Variations that will be implemented in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2024 (TRC). The rationale behind the variations is to speed up the game by reducing the amount of unnecessary stoppages and to clarify law interpretations.
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Commenting on the law variations SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said: “The Rugby Championship is the flagship of the sport in the southern hemisphere and annually we see the best players in the world battle it out for the title. We believe this year’s championship, that has been keenly anticipated by the players and rugby fans, will again exhibit the best of what the game has to offer with exciting, tough action on the field, enhanced by the evolution in the Laws of the Game.
“SANZAAR on behalf of its member unions continues to explore ways to make The Rugby Championship and rugby in general even more attractive to fans. In 2024 The Rugby Championship is back to its full format with 12 Test matches played across Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“The Rugby Championship kicks-off on Saturday 10 August when Australia hosts the reigning world champions South Africa in Brisbane, and New Zealand hosts Argentina in Wellington.
“New Zealand, currently ranked third in the world will be keen to defend their Rugby Championship title but South Africa – the number one ranked team in the world – will be keen to add the TRC title to its Rugby World Cup success last year. Argentina and Australia will endeavour to spoil the party and will also prove capable opponents, and all the action can be viewed via SANZAAR’s rights holding broadcasters around the world.”
2024 LAW VARIATIONS: THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
1) RED CARD
In the event foul play is determined to be deliberate and with a high level of danger it will result in a full red card for the offending player who will not return to the field nor be able to be replaced.
All other Red Cards that do not meet the above threshold will be 20 min Red Cards in which the offending player will be removed from the match but will be entitled to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. The offending team will then be able to replace the red carded player with one of their available replacements.
Rationale: the individual, not the game, punished for red card offences.