World Rugby (WR) has announced rule changes that will apply to competition beginning July 1, 2024. These changes will generally take effect in the United States on September 1, 2024. These new rules will apply to 15-a-side competitions, pre-season matches and friendlies starting in August.
A lowering of the tackle height will also be implemented, the exact wording of which will be announced next month, but teams should practice making contact lower on the ball carrier’s torso.
- During a kick, players on the kicking team who are in front of the kick must not retreat and must wait until they are onside, even if they are more than 10 meters away from where the ball is expected to land. Also, a player will not be onside if the opposing team runs or passes the ball 5 meters. This is an important change, and teams need to make sure all players understand it.
- A so-called “alligator” or “crocodile” roll against a jacker, or a player attempting to start a ruck, is illegal and considered dangerous play. A player may still be eliminated or set back from the contest.
- If a free kick is awarded, a team may not opt to scrum.
A description of the changes from World Rugby can be found here and the exact law wording can be found here. The changes will be explained in further detail in new Game Management Guidelines to be published in the summer.
WR published the following clarification earlier this year:
- In the scrum, some hookers use a ‘semi/half brake foot’. The brake foot must be in a position to act as a brake to relieve pressure on the heads and necks of the front rows until the call to ‘set’. More information here.
- For a conversion kick, once the kicker has “finally settled”, it is indicated to everyone that the next time a player steps out, or takes their foot off the ground to step out, marks the start of the “approach to kick” per rule 8.14. Find out more here.
Any questions should be sent to laws@usa.rugby.
