Owens gives nuanced take on 20-minute red as World Rugby explore trial

Nigel Owens fears the introduction of a 20-minute red card which is being considered by World Rugby could result in players not changing their behaviour around dangerous acts of play.

World Rugby revealed on Tuesday that they are considering a global trial of the 20-minute red card sanction which is currently in use in Super Rugby Pacific, where a team is down to 14 players for only 20 minutes before the red carded player can be replaced by someone else.

Specialist working groups will explore the idea further, which came from the recent ‘shape of the game’ forum, before a final proposal will go to World Rugby’s Council in May.

Nigel Owens says the game should be put back into the hands of referees

Nigel Owens says the game should be put back into the hands of referees

Speaking at a BKT URC round table recently, the 2015 World Cup final referee gave his take on the 20-minute red card, saying it is a “kneejerk” reaction to please those that claim red cards ruin a match.

The Welshman compared the current problem of dangerous clearouts and high tackles to the tip tackle, which was prevalent in rugby a decade ago but has been phased out through red cards to offenders- with Sam Warburton’s 2011 World Cup semi-final red card being the most famous case.

While he worries that diminishing the severity of red cards will consequently result in players failing to change their behaviour and technique, World Rugby did specify that “stronger off-field sanctions” would partner the 20-minute red card.

Stronger off-field sanctions would thus continue to serve as a deterrent to players, while also achieving World Rugby’s objective of “increasing simplicity, consistency and fan understanding,” during the match.

Owens said: “Safety is hugely paramount and we have to change player behaviour and get them out of that recklessness, flying in, not caring where they are hitting people. We have to change that.

“I am a little bit worried that if teams are only going to be down to 14 men for 20 minutes, are we then taking away what we really need to be strong on and that is changing player behaviour and making the game as safe as we possibly can.

“If you look back at the tip tackle or the recklessness of taking a player out in the air, many years ago referees went really strong, players were sent off, and we very rarely see a tip tackle any more. That’s because there were bans for it and it changed player behaviour.

“But, for some reason, we are still struggling with getting the change of player behaviour when it comes to recklessness around clear outs and around head contact in getting those tackles lower.

“Some players are consciously trying to do that, others are not.

“We do not want to go down to 14 men for any period of time, so let’s make sure we get the discipline right and get these tackles lower.

“I just think the 20 minute red card is a bit of a kneejerk reaction in trying to find a balance of keeping people happy when they are saying going down to 14 men is spoiling a game, compared to a clear red which is there for a reason.

“Let’s look at the whole picture and make sure we get it right rather than just simply papering over the cracks and not seeing a change in player behaviour, particularly when it comes to head contact.”