THE Rugby World Cup has reached the semi-final stage – and there are some tasty encounters coming up.
Radical new regulations were introduced by World Rugby back in 2021.
The rules, which include a 50:22 kick and no five-metre scrums after the ball is held up over the try-line, were implemented worldwide in 2021.
It greatly affects the way in which the game is played, especially the 50:22 kick.
What is a 50:22 and how does it work?
This is a big one, and hugely beneficial in an attacking sense.
If a player kicks the ball from inside their own half and it bounces inside the opposition’s 22, the team in possession will throw in from the resulting lineout.
In theory, it encourages teams to hold players back to cover the kick, and as a result, free up more space to run into.
Why is there no five-metre scrum when the ball is held up?
Play will now restart with a drop kick from the try-line if:
- The ball is held up over the try-line
- There is a knock-on by an attacking player in-goal
- An attacking kick is grounded by a defender behind their try-line
This removes the need for five-metre scrums, and means the ball will both be in play for longer, and also speed up game play.
What about dangerous cleanouts and jackaling?
Jackaling has seen players suffer horrific leg injuries after having the entire bodyweight of a player pinned onto them.
England flanker Jack Willis suffered a sickening knee injury as a result of a dangerous clearout in the 2021 Six Nations.
As a result, tougher sanctions were implemented prior to the 2022 Six Nations on players who are viewed as targeting or dropping weight on an opponent’s lower limbs.
Therefore the bigger aim is to improve player safety in an attempt to prevent serious injury.
