Following Sam Cane’s controversial red card, which marred the World Cup final, fans called for the implementation of the “20-minute red card.”
In the first half of the Stade de France showcase, the All Blacks captain, Sam Cane, made contact with Jesse Kriel’s head with his shoulder.
Initially, referee Wayne Barnes sent Cane to the sin-bin, but upon review through the bunker system, the punishment was upgraded to a red card.
The idea of the 20-minute red card originated as a trial during the Super Rugby competition, with the intention of striking a balance between player discipline and ensuring teams aren’t excessively disadvantaged by an early red card.
During the trial, a player who received a red card for foul play could be temporarily replaced by a substitute after spending 20 minutes off the field. This tactical substitution aimed to find a middle ground between maintaining a competitive match and penalizing severe violations of the game’s rules.
Despite generating significant interest and debate during the trial, it was ultimately not extended to the Rugby World Cup.
One fan wrote: “Need to get some southern innovation and bring in the 20 minute red card – that way a decision like this won’t ruin the whole game.”
A second commented: “Red card should be 20 minutes,”
Another said: “A different red card option is 20 minutes off, then a replacement player can come on. Better for the game & offender still suspended etc.”
World Rugby confirms law changes for 2024:
WHAT’S NEW?
Three law amendments come into effect across the game including:
- A change of onside from kicks in open play. Players will now be deemed offside when an opposition player catches the ball and runs five metres, or passes the ball. Offside players must now make an attempt to retreat to be put back onside.
- Teams can no longer take a scrum from a free-kick. Free-kicks must either be tapped or kicked to encourage more ball in flow.
- Players can no longer roll and twist another player in the tackle area (also called as the “crocodile roll”) and the action will now be sanctioned by a penalty.
In addition, closed law trials are making their debuts in the two age-grade tournaments:
- A player receiving a red card can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes. The red-carded player cannot return to the field. They will follow automatic off-field red card sanctions unless it is deemed a serious act of foul play which will go to a disciplinary hearing.
- Teams will have 30 seconds for setting scrum and lineout and a maximum of 60 seconds for conversions which aligns with the time allowed for penalty kicks at goal.
- The nine can’t be played while the ball is still near a tackle, ruck or maul. The offside line at the scrum for the non-putting in scrum-half will be the middle of the tunnel. This should create cleaner play and keep the ball in flow for longer.
- Teams can now mark the ball inside the 22m area from a restart.
- Teams must play the ball after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
- If a lineout is not straight but uncontested (i.e. no pod lifted to compete), play will continue.
Finally, a revised TMO process trial will also run:
- The TMO will have power to identify clear and obvious infringements in the final attacking passage of play before scoring (knock on, forward pass and in touch) and within the final two phases specifically (offside, maul obstruction and tackle complete).
- The referral can be made by any member of the team of four match officials.
- Previously, the TMO could only intervene on infringements within the final two phases.
- All other aspects of the existing protocol will apply.
England and Scotland get easy 2027 Rugby World Cup draws
During the draw, the 24 participating teams will be divided into six pools, each consisting of four teams. Notably, this draw will transpire before the regional qualifiers have concluded, resulting in a dual-world approach.
On one side, we have the twelve automatic qualifiers from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, confirmed by their names. On the other side, the regional qualifiers will be represented as Africa 1, Europe 1, Europe 2, and so forth.
Rugby World Cup 2027 is set to be hosted in Australia, marking the eleventh edition of the Men’s Rugby World Cup and the third time it will take place in Australia. The country previously co-hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 1987 and served as the sole host in 2003.
With the current World Rankings in mind, let’s delve into how the 2027 Rugby World Cup will shape up via Rugby Centre.
2027 Rugby World Cup draw (Current rankings)
POOL A
- South Africa
- Australia
- Portugal
- Spain
POOL B
- France
- Fiji
- Tonga
- Chile
