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Alex Sanderson has given his verdict on 20-minute red card trial

By PA
(Photo by PA)

Sale boss Alex Sanderson supports the 20-minute red card rule in the belief it would help police the grey area that has emerged through inconsistent refereeing. World Rugby is considering extending the law trial currently in place in Super Rugby to other competitions in order to gather more data on its impact on matches.

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The rule allows for a sent-off player to be tactically replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes, therefore preventing early dismissals from ruining games. It comes amid an increase in red cards as World Rugby looks to stamp out dangerous play, particularly high tackles involving contact with the head.

The experimental law divides opinion, but Sanderson believes it provides a valuable compromise position. “What we have seen is an inconsistency to what conjugates a red card and what the sanction of a red card is,” Sanderson said.

“I believe that’s a good thing because getting a red card changes the game irrevocably. It has to change because now it’s probably a bit too harsh. Referees don’t want to be the person who dictates the outcome of the game, but increasingly so they are becoming that.

“I understand why they have shifted away from certain things, mitigating factors, affecting the decision for red cards, but there is still a lot of grey there between a yellow and a red. A 20-minute sanction would affect the game hugely, but not irrevocably, so I think it’s probably a good idea. A 20-minute red card gives you an ability to punish grey areas more than the straight black and white of a yellow or red card.”

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Sale are losing both of their marquee players when Faf de Klerk and Lood de Jager depart at the end of the season, but Sanderson still approves of the decision made by clubs that from the 2022/23 campaign, only one wage can be counted outside the reduced £5million salary cap. It is hoped that cutting the cost of running a squad in the Gallagher Premiership will mitigate the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

“You lose the experience, the talent and potentially a bit of x-factor with the marquee player, but you gain the opportunity for good young English players,” Sanderson said. “The pathway opens up to lads who could have been blocked before. The aim is to make the game a viable, self-supporting business as opposed to a folly of rich philanthropists, which it has been.

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“The long-term benefits of saving the game and giving the opportunity to young English players definitely outweighs the short-term benefits of having some galacticos on the field.”

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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