20-minute red card rule for autumn internationals amid backlash – Rugby chief justice countdown clock and ‘Mike’ referee explains

• A series of new laws will be tested at the fall convention next month.
• The referee can issue a permanent red card or impose a 20-minute sanction for the offence.
• Countdown clocks are introduced for scrums, lineouts and goal kicks.

by Alex Bywater

Posted: Oct 18, 2024 11:00 EDT | Updated: 18 October 2024 18:40 EDT

World Rugby will trial a new 20-minute red card in next month’s Autumn Nations series as part of a number of rule changes aimed at simplifying the game and making it more entertaining.

Dangerous and deliberate foul play will still be punished with a straight red card, but if foul play is deemed accidental, a player may be sent to the prison cell for 20 minutes after which he must be replaced by a substitute. The number of dismissals in Tests has increased exponentially in recent years as referees seek to crack down on dangerous play to protect player welfare.

However, it has been claimed that teams are too often reduced to 14 players, which is ruining the game. Allowing someone to substitute an attacking player after 20 minutes will hopefully keep the game in balance. This variation on the legal trial differs from the stand-alone 20-minute red card proposal due to be discussed later this year, which has already drawn criticism from French rugby coaches.

Another rule change is that for the first time referees will be able to use ‘microphones’ to explain their decisions over loudspeakers in the stadium or to fans watching on TV at home.

Other new legal proposals would include countdown clocks for scrums, lineouts and goal kicks. Kickers now only have 60 seconds to convert from the moment a try is scored.

The referee can choose between a permanent red card or a 20-minute sanction for foul play.

French rugby coaches have already criticized the proposed independent 20-minute red card.

If a player exceeds this time limit, a conversion kick will not be allowed. One minute is also allotted for penalty kicks on goal.

If a penalty attempt times out, a scrum is awarded to the team that did not kick from the penalty spot.

In a further change to speed up play, scrums and lineouts must be established within 30 seconds or a free kick will be awarded to the opposition.

England’s autumn international schedule begins with a hotly anticipated match against New Zealand on November 2, followed by matches against Australia, South Africa and Japan the following weekend at Twickenham’s new name Allianz Stadium.

Wales face Fiji, Australia and South Africa, while Scotland face Portugal. World number one team Ireland will play the All Blacks, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

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