Former Test referee Owen Doyle believes that the Springboks coaches were correct in pointing out the flaws in both the current laws and the trials that are coming in.

Rassie Erasmus, alongside his assistants, recently took part in their own ‘Shape of the Game’ conference, recording a three-part special which went up on YouTube.

In those episodes, they discussed the current state of the game, its laws and the amendments which will be used in Super Rugby Pacific this year.

Super Rugby law amendments

There are five key changes in the competition, including no scrums for accidental offsides and delaying playing the ball, and allowing teams to pass back into their own half before kicking a 50/22.

Some of them may well become law should World Rugby believe that they have been successful, but Erasmus and Doyle remain sceptical.

“The new [World Rugby] chair, Australian Brett Robinson, is keen to reach agreement on new law trials with a view to having them in place for the World Cup,” he wrote in his Irish Times column.

“South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper – the former international referee who is now an adviser to South African Rugby – have declared their opposition to this idea, as has been reported recently.

“Overall, I agree with their position, which points to the present process of trialling as being key to fully understanding all the consequences of change. Particularly, those which are of the unintended variety.”

People are still divided over certain aspects of the game. Traditionally, Australia and New Zealand have been in one camp while the European nations have been in another, with South Africa possibly somewhere in between, certainly more recently.

However, Doyle believes that Erasmus and co. could now be the biggest threat to World Rugby getting their way.

Southern hemisphere not united

“It seems Brett Robinson does not have full support in the southern hemisphere and if South Africa stick to their guns, it could prove a major stumbling block,” he added.

“France, too, are taking a hard line against changes which they believe could damage their successful Top 14 league; they have jam-packed stadiums, which is not a feature in Australia.

“France are also adamant that the 20-minute red card replacement is not fit for purpose, with everything but the most horrible fouls qualifying for it.

“The game of rugby has unique characteristics and these must not be lost. The laws must fit the charter, which has also been mentioned by Peyper.”

 RUGBY NEWS