The hotly discussed 20-minute red card in rugby led to the final Global Low Trial. This is the last step before being written permanently in a robe book.
The controversial court law allows players who made the act of foul play 20 minutes later can be replaced by another player. However, the problematic player cannot return to the action.
World Rugby approved a global legal trial at this week’s council meeting despite resistance from several international unions, including France and Ireland.
However, it has received almost indifferent support in the Southern Hemisphere, where it was first imagined and tried, and introduced for all elite competitions from August 1st.
“The World Rugby Council today approved a global trial of 20-minute red cards at the Elite Conference. This decision follows an extensive review of successful closure trials conducted in international and elite club rugby over the past year,” a press release from World Rugby read.
“The 20-minute red card aims to maintain competitive integrity with the sights of elite matches, but supports rugby’s unwavering commitment to player welfare. The trial will work in all elite competitions ahead of the final decision on permanent recruitment in 2026.
“In this trial, players who commit foul plays that are not deemed intentional or intentional will receive a red card and will be permanently removed from the game. However, teams can return to full completion after 20 minutes by bringing in one of the available alternatives.
“Importantly, the referee has the authority to issue a full and permanent red card to foul plays that are deemed intentional and extremely dangerous. Two yellow cards constitute a 20-minute red card unless the second attack meets the full red card threshold.
“The 20-minute red card will be participating in the already-enabled Global Low Trial Suite, making its debut at the Rugby World Cup at the UK Women’s Event in August this year, and will be used at the U20 Championship in June.”
If a 20-minute red card passes the final stage of the test through use at the Women’s World Cup later this year and other elite tournaments, it may be written in the law for performances after Rugby World Cup 2027.
One criticism of the 20-minute red card is that it does not deter any illegal head contact or foul plays is sufficient, but WR Chairman Brett Robinson said the game’s global stewards are committed to unwavering promotions in player safety.
“Our mission is to ensure that rugby is an attractive sport to play and watch. A 20-minute red card saves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing individuals rather than the whole team or spectacle,” Robinson said.
“Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data on head injuries, tackle height and concussions strictly and transparently. If this test shows that it poses a greater risk, it will be completed immediately.”
The move comes 24 hours after US player Alev Kelter was given a three-week ban in Canberra’s PAC4 Series defeat to Australia.
However, Kelter was given a straight red card, which is still in use despite the 20-minute red variant, but the judicial officer was not convinced he was planning to attack George Na Friedrich of the Wallaros Center.
Sevens Star and the current Wallaroos Back Charlotte Caslick are one of several Australian players questioning the length of the ban, and social media has also made a spin.
“Alef is really tough on the field, but she’s a really good person leaving it and my deal with her has always been really good…but everyone is a bit shocked by the fact that it was only three weeks,” Caslick told rugby.com.au.
“It was clearly a pretty busy case. I can’t comment on it because they don’t know the details at their judicial meeting, but it’s quite silly and I feel that poor Georgie was slammed a bit after that.”
World Rugby has also announced a focused disciplinary process that will allow for “fastest and more consistent decisions.”