2015 Technical Priorities
Technical Priorities 2015
1. Player Safety
• The wearing of a mouth guard in all NZ
Domestic Rugby is compulsory
• Closely observe players who sustain a head
knock – Play It Safe
Reason: Player safety is paramount
Technical Priorities 2015
2. The Game Fundamentals
•
For all restarts at half way and 22m drop-outs advancing players must be
behind the kicker
• Half backs are required to put the ball in straight, with part of the ball landing
on the middle line
• Line out throws to be down the middle and without delay
• Penalty/Free Kicks are to be taken on or behind the mark (the mark is not the
place to commence the run to kick)
• Foul Play to be dealt with decisively and effectively
Reason: To keep the game tidy and well managed.
Technical Priorities 2015
3. Positive Set Pieces
“Scrums & lineouts formed within 30 seconds is a priority”
Scrum
• 3 calls requires 3 actions: “Crouch” / “Bind” /”
Set” sequence. Good set up essential
• scrums to be stable before ball is fed in on
referees indication (non verbal)
• long bind by props
• scrum must push forward prior to any wheel
Technical Priorities 2015
Line Outs
• ball to be thrown along the middle line
• players not to interfere with jumpers in the air
• lineout maul is formed when defenders bind
onto the jumper who has caught the ball and
is bound to a team mate or is caught in the
maul
Reason: To have game restarts occur quickly and provide quality ball
Technical Priorities 2015
4. The Breakdown (Tackle/Ruck/Maul)
• Players are required to stay on their feet and enter tackles through
the gate
• Cleaning out players beyond the ball is not acceptable
• Tacklers must exit east/west and not interfere with ball release
• Half backs are not to be grasped/interfered with at rucks & mauls
• The ball is deemed out of the ruck when the ball clears the
hindmost foot (not when the ball is touched)
Reason: To give teams the opportunity to contest the breakdown.
Technical Priorities 2015
5. Space for the Game to Operate
• Maintain the defensive offside lines at Set Piece – in
particular 5m for backs at scrum; 10m for backs at line out
• Backlines in ruck/mauls must be onside until the ball is
clearly released
• Players must STOP when ahead of the kicker at kicks in
general play
• All players in the lineout must remain there until the
lineout has ended.
Reason: To give the ball receiving team as much SPACE as possible in accordance with law.
Technical Priorities 2015
6. Management & Communication
• Communication of decisions is expected to be clear
and relate to law
• Team Captains are expected to be the only
communicators with referees during games
• Cynical infringements will be dealt with quickly and
decisively, they need not be part of repeated
infringements
Reason: The aim is to encourage open communication and for decisions to be clear and easy to
understand.
MouthGuard Management
Pre –Season
Communication to teams via Coach and Managers Meeting – “No Mouthguard; No Play” This is an
NZRU Directive for games from ITM Cup down so we are obliged to comply.
ARFU and ARRA Communications to Clubs
Pre-Season trainings attended
Pre –Match
Discussion with Managers, Coaches and Captains – their responsibility; not ours
Manager to advise referee of players who might be exempted for medical reason (ARFU requires a
medical/dental certificate to that effect) and mark on team sheet
“If we see it, we will act but we will not be looking for it”
During Game
Player observed not wearing mouthguard to leave the field to get one. Time allowed for this is 10min
actual time during which no substitution is allowed.
If player has one but not wearing it he is given a warning.
1st repeat infringement incurs a PK at place of next restart with escalation as per repeat infringement
standards.
If mouthguard is quickly supplied from sideline (“thrown on”) no need for temporary suspension of
player but warning still stands.