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DWC

Guitar, ukulele, and piano student; rugby fanatic; INTJ

World Rugby Law Changes on January 1

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[Update/edit of a previous posting.]

USAR and its member clubs have implemented the new World Rugby Law Changes established on January 1: https://usa.rugby/news/world-rugby-law-changes-set-to-implement-on-january-1-20241210

Briefly:

  • Players who were part of a ruck or maul may not play an opponent taking the ball from the ruck or maul.
  • At scrums, the scrum-half of the team not in possession may not go past the center of the tunnel.
  • Conversion kicks must be taken within 60 seconds (down from 90) [the 30 second limit remains for Sevens]. Lineouts must be formed within 30 seconds (the same as already in law for scrums.)
  • Play continues on a throw not straight at an uncontested lineout.
    • (And no, it just can’t be thrown to the scrumhalf. An attempt at throwing the ball to a player in the lineout must be made PLUS if ANY player is lifted at any position then that is a contest; bunny hops by a single player don’t count as a contest for the ball.)

USA Rugby hosted a webinar to review the changes and answer your questions on January 7, 2025, 8:30pm.

An update to the USA Game Management Guidelines for the 2024-25 season is available at https://usa.rugby/referee-resources

World Rugby Law Changes and Clarifications (eff. 09/01/2024)

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World Rugby (WR) has announced law changes applying to competitions starting from July 1, 2024. These changes will generally take effect in the USA starting September 1, 2024. Fifteens competitions, pre-season matches, and friendlies starting in August should apply these new laws.

Lowered tackle height will also take effect at the same time. The exact wording for that will be released next month, but teams should be practicing with contact lower on the ball carrier’s torso.

  • On kicks, players of the kicking team ahead of the kick may not loiter, but must retreat until onside, even if they are more than 10 meters from where the ball is expected to land. Also, players are NOT put onside by an opponent running 5 meters with the ball, or passing the ball. This is a significant change; teams should ensure that all players understand it.
  • The so-called “gator” or “crocodile” roll on a jackler, or player attempting to start a ruck is illegal and considered dangerous play.  A player may still be levered out of the contest or driven back.
  • When awarded a free kick, a team may NOT opt for a scrummage. 

The changes will be discussed with more detail in the new Game Management Guidelines to be released during the summer.

WR has released the following Clarifications this year:

  • At scrummage, some hookers have used a “semi/half brake foot”.  The brake foot must be in position to serve as a brake taking pressure off the head and necks of the front row until the call of “set”.
  • On conversion kicks, once a kicker is “finally settled”, that indicates to everyone that the next time the player steps, or lifts a foot off the ground to step, that will be the start of their “approach to kick” as per law 8.14.

RSV AGM

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August 15, 2024 – 7:30 PM via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81945423735)

This year’s Referees Society of Virginia (RSV) Annual General Meeting will be done via Zoom. All registered/active refs are invited to discuss the coming 2024-2025 season, development opportunities, the current budget, policy changes, law changes(!!!), and other items. Everyone (new and old) may attend, but to vote you must be registered (via RX) with the RSV and have refereed or referee coached at least 2 games or events in the last 2 years. One-third of those eligible must be present for a quorum. Proxies are not allowed. We will send reminders out as the time gets closer, but please add this to your calendar now!