2021 GLOBAL LAW TRIALS

World Rugby (WR) has announced several Global Law Trials that go into effect on August 1st, 2021.  These trials are not minor tweaks and will have some significant effects on safety and strategy. We strongly recommend all players and coaches familiarize themselves with the new Laws. Referees must learn all the details.

More information can be found at: https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/global-law-trials. This resource includes many good video examples. 
 

2021 GLOBAL LAW TRIALS

1:  50:22

If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly (i.e. it bounces first) into touch inside their opponents’ 22, they will throw into the resulting lineout. The ball cannot be passed or carried back into the defensive half for the 50:22 to be played. The phase immediately prior to the kick (tackle, ruck or maul) must originate inside the defensive half, or an opponent touches the ball inside the half before it is kicked.

2:  Goal line drop-out

Play restarts with a goal line dropout anywhere along the goal line:

  1. The ball is held up in in-goal (either team in possession).

  2. Knock-on while in-goal from an attacking player.

  3. Attacking kick from open play (including a FK or PK that was not a shot at goal) is made dead by the defending team in-goal - either grounding in-goal or by carry/kick/knock the ball dead out the back or side (dead ball line or touch-in-goal).

Link to table of In-Goal Permutations.

3:  1-player latch

One support player may pre-latch to a ball carrier prior to contact. If the ball carrier is tackled, this player must observe all the requirements for a first arriving player, particularly the need to stay on their feet and not obstruct an opposing tackler or player trying to contest for the ball. The first opposition player may still attempt to tackle the ball carrier, and will not be considered to have automatically created a maul when they make initial contact.

4:  Flying Wedge

Two or more support players may not bind onto a ball carrier prior to opposition contact play. This is dangerous play. (Usually happens near the goal line or in open play.)

5:  Cleanout and safety of the ‘jackler’

The ‘jackler’ has now been defined as the first arriving team-mate of the tackler at the tackle. A Penalty Kick has been added for clean-outs which target or drop weight onto this player’s lower limbs. No-wrap hits and ‘neck rolls’ on a jackler are still foul play. Clasping a jackler under their armpits to lever them up and out of the contest (known as a ‘gator roll’) is still legal.