2019/2020 season
High Tackle Directive added 24-09-19
Three Stage Process
Is the tackle a shoulder charge or high tackle?
DEFINITIONS
Shoulder charge
Arm of the shoulder making contact with the ball carrier is behind the tackler’s body or tucked in ‘sling’ position at contact
High tackle
An illegal tackle causing head contact, where head contact is identified by clear contact to ball carrier’s head/neck OR the head visibly moves backwards from the contact point OR the ball carrier requires an HIA
Note: the head’s first movement is back in a head-contact tackle or head-contact shoulder charge, and forward in a ‘body-contact’ tackle or ‘body-contact’ shoulder charge
IF SHOULDER CHARGE or HIGH TACKLE:
1.Was there ball carrier head/neck contact?
2.What is the degree of danger – high or low?
3.Are there clear and obvious mitigating factors?*
* For mitigation, only one reduction in sanction can apply, irrespective of the number of mitigating factors present
How the referees apply the laws in a shoulder charge
Firstly a shoulder charge is defined as follows: "Arm of the shoulder making contact with the ball carrier is behind the tackler’s body or tucked in ‘sling’ position at contact."
Sanctions are issued as follows:
• Red card - If a shoulder charge makes contact with the head or neck, it is by default a red card in the new framework.
• Sin bin - If there is no contact with the neck but there is a high degree of danger, the player should be sin binned.
• Penalty - If there is no contact with the neck and there is a high degree of danger, it is a penalty.
Click on the link above for the comprehensive ref coaching guide, courtesy of Dave Pearson
November 2016
May 2018 Law Change Focus - The Scrum
Uncontested scrums requiring eight players per side
Addition of new number 3.15:
15. Uncontested scrums as a result of a sending off, temporary suspension or injury must be played with eight players per side. Consequential renumbering: 15-33 become 16-34
Addition of sentence to 19.6 (U19 variations):
6. All players in the three front-row positions and the two lock positions must be suitably trained for these positions. If a team cannot field such suitably trained players for whatever reason, then the referee must order uncontested scrums. Uncontested scrums as a result of a sending off, temporary suspension or injury must be played with eight players per side.