World Rugby has pledged to increase the pace of the game with five initiatives, including stepping up “use” calls at scrum time and giving scrum halves more space and cover.
The moves come after the 2024 Shape of the Game forum in London concluded with recommendations “to reimagine the show and increase rugby’s share of attention in an increasingly competitive global sports and entertainment market.”
Gaming, coaching, refereeing, competitions and fan experts representing five specialist committees (men’s and women’s high performance, professional game, professional leagues and community rugby) were part of the new initiatives; At this year’s forum, as in the past, short-term progress.
The five suggestions include:
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Speed and flow
Focus on elements that keep the game moving, such as accelerating the referees’ “use it” call at the break, removing repetitive attacking options, expanding the scope of the shot clock, reviewing the offside law from kicks, and reviewing the offside law. attacking half with more space and protection at the base of the attack, backs and tackles. -
Language and presentation of the game
A renewed passion and urgency to focus on increasing rugby’s share of interest through a fan-centric perspective on how the game is marketed, a consistent approach to the presentation of the sport across all media and a focus on the moments in the game that truly engage fans. . -
women’s game
A particular focus on women’s rugby and the adaptation of the law, recognizing the unique characteristics, strengths and opportunities that exist to attract a new audience. -
Player welfare and well-being
A player-focused approach to improvements in welfare, including the removal of the ‘crocodile roll’ and the review of casting. -
Disciplinary process review
Streamlining the sport’s disciplinary and sanctioning processes to aid efficiency, consistency and fan understanding.
The timing of the new procedures follows comments made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland following Saturday’s defeat against Ireland regarding the amount of possession in game time and the way the game was managed. Gatland said at the time: “I was disappointed in the first half. It was difficult to gain momentum. I think the ball game time was only 13 minutes. We try to be positive when talking about the laws of the game and make the game more attractive to fans. “I’m not sure players from either team were responsible for the stoppages in the first half.”
The removal of repeated attack options, while speeding up the game, would lead to opposition from those concerned about the importance of the set-piece in the modern game. Reviewing the offside law for kicks has also been a hot topic; It is often referred to as Dupont’s Law after France scrum-half Antoine Dupont exploited it; Receiving players are only required to run the ball for five meters before attackers who have already been offside are allowed to approach and then tackle them. He featured heavily in the final stages of France’s win over Scotland.
Shot clock timers were introduced by World Rugby at the end of 2022 and were first used at Rugby World Cups last year; Owen Farrell became one of his first victims after running out of time as he prepared to take a strike against Samoa.
‘Croc roll’ injuries have also been a major problem among elite players for some time; England winger Jack Willis suffered a serious injury against Italy in 2021, which kept him out of any involvement with England for over a year.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont praised the moves, saying: “The Way of the Game 2024 represents a significant milestone in defining the future of our sport. A long-term mix of on-field product and off-field experience within a new calendar that offers the long-term certainty of exciting content from expanded Rugby World Cups.” It was born out of the need and opportunity to grow rugby’s audience, considering how it could strengthen long-term growth in new global competitions.
“It is great to see such a strong desire from all stakeholders – players, coaches, match officials, competition owners, unions and counties – to develop the game in a way that sets it up for success not only at the elite level but in the community as well. game. “I want to thank everyone for their forward-thinking and collaborative contributions.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin added: “Rugby is in an attention economy. The appeal of the product in all its forms, combined with the excitement of the event experience, the content we create and the stories we tell, are central to the growth of the sport as a whole.
“We will not look at actions or legislative changes in isolation, but instead consider the changes we need to make to make the game more relevant, attract new fans and deepen engagement with existing fans, and move the needle definitively to make the sport more accessible.”