Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Beaumont's radical suggestion met with mixed reaction

By Josh Raisey
Bill Beaumont

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has shown an interest in a major change in the laws of rugby which would see players substituted only if they were injured. 

ADVERTISEMENT

This is not too dissimilar to a suggestion recently made by referee Nigel Owens, and while it may seem like a move back towards the amateur era, it is an attempt to reduce the number of injuries in the game. 

Such a radical law change has been met with a mixed reaction, with as many people seemingly for it as against it. 

The rationale behind such a move is to encourage players to play the entirety of a match, limiting the emphasis on size and strength, and rather prioritising skill and endurance. This would reduce the size of players and therefore lessen the intensity of collisions. Furthermore, it cuts out the common risk in the game of fresh players from the bench coming up against fatigued players towards the end of each match. 

 

 

While this is the theory behind such an idea, some fear that it will not work in practice, and it will actually increase the number of fatigue-related muscle injuries in the game as players burnout. Another concern is that the tackle technique of fatigued players will only deteriorate in the latter stages of the game, which will create more injury problems. 

Of course, this is why there would be a greater emphasis on the stamina of players and their ability to last 80 minutes in order to avoid these problems. 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

 

 

One thing that does seem inevitable is the chance of players feigning injuries, and consequently how hard this will be to police. Already teams find ways around blood and head injury assessment replacements so that they can bring players on when they choose, and Beaumont’s law change will only increase the amount of subterfuge and underhand tactics in a match.

It has also been stressed that this should only be in the higher tiers of the game, as such a law in grassroots rugby would stultify and hamper the inclusivity of players.  

Ultimately, Beaumont and World Rugby’s goal is to limit the number of injuries across the game, and an idea like this may be trialled soon to see its success. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch: Chris Whitaker Waratahs interview

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search