50-22 and goal line dropout laws to be formally trialled at all levels including tests
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World rugby looks set to introduce two new laws into tests as well as all other competitions from 1 August this year.
The rules, which was trialled in the recent Super Rugby AU and trans-Tasman Super Rugby competitions, are known as the ‘50-22 kick’ rule and the ‘Goal Line Drop-out' rule. According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the two laws have been approved by the World Rugby executive and will now be trialled for another year.
The ‘50-22 kick’ rule works as follows: If a player kicks a ball from inside their own half and said ball subsequently bounces in the opposition 22 and then into touch, the kicking player’s team will have the throw-in to the resulting lineout.
‘The Goal Line Drop-out' rule dictates that, if an attacking team is held up over the try line, the defending side will be awarded a 22 drop out. The goal of this rule is to eliminate the monotonous pick-&-drive scenario which often occurs close to the try line.
The report by the Herald also states that the 20-minute red card – which has allowed teams to replace a player sent off for foul play after 20 minutes spent playing with 14 men – has not been approved.
France and England are reported to be the key drivers in the decision to not modify the red card rules.
It is understood that Rugby Australia will push for the red card law to be implemented during the Rugby Championship with the unions meeting later this week.
While the laws are set to come in play from 1 August, it is incredibly unlikely that they will feature during the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour at all.
