Rugby: More law changes with TMO to get extra power

Israel Dagg. Photo / Getty Images

Get out your rule book rugby fans, it's going to need some changes once again.

This morning's IRB council meeting in Dublin has approved trials for five law amendments.

Among the five rule changes being trialled, the ball will have to be used within five seconds when available at the back of a ruck, and kickers will have 90 seconds from a try being scored to kick the conversion.

A trial extension of the jurisdiction of the TMO will also be introduced later this year, while the number of substitutes will increase to eight in the November international window with the additional player a front rower.

The increase in the TMO's power means they will be able to rule on incidents within the field of play that have led to the scoring of a try and also on any foul play.

The TMO's inability to rule on forward passes came into light last season during an All Blacks 18-5 defeat to South Africa in Port Elizabeth. Jimmy Cowan was denied a try by Irish referee George Clancy when he wrongfully asked TMO Johan Meuswesen whether the final pass from Israel Dagg was forward.

The trials will start in August in the Northern Hemisphere, and January in the Southern Hemisphere

NZRU High Performance Referee Manager Rod Hill has no preference as long as they get it right quickly.

The five Law amendments to be trialled globally are:

1. Law 16.7 (Ruck): The ball has to be used within five seconds of it being made available at the back of a ruck following a warning from the referee to "use it". Sanction - Scrum.

2. 19.2 (b) (Quick Throw-In) For a quick throw in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and the player's goal line.

3. 19.4 (who throws in) When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line; or a scrum at the place of the knock-on. The non-offending team may exercise this option by taking a quick throw-in.

4. 21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements: Lineout alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw in. This is in addition to the scrum option.

5. A conversion kick must be completed within one minute 30 seconds from the time that a try has been awarded.

In addition to the global trials, the IRB Council approved three specific additional trials:

1. A trial to extend the jurisdiction of the TMO to incidents within the field of play that have led to the scoring of a try and foul play in the field of play to take place at an appropriate elite competition in order that a protocol can be developed for the November 2012 Tests.

2. A trial has been sanctioned for the November 2012 Test window permitting international teams to nominate up to eight replacements in the match day squad for Test matches. In line with current practice at domestic elite Rugby level, the additional player must be a qualified front row player.

3. An amendment to Law 3.4 (Sevens Variation) to enable Sevens teams to nominate up to five replacements/substitutes. Under the revision, which will operate from June 1 2012, a team may substitute or replace up to five players during a match.

- NEWSTALK ZB / HERALD ONLINE