Former Test referee Nigel Owens says World Rugby’s plan to introduce a 20-minute red card is a “kneejerk reaction” and doesn’t solve the issue of what constitutes a sending off.
The former World Cup final referee was talking against the backdrop of the big debate over the 20 minute red card.
The law variation, which allows a sent off player to be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes, is employed in Super Rugby and SANZAAR want to see it introduced worldwide.
But Owens believes it would be a “kneejerk reaction” and one which does not address the key issue.
Speaking at a Vodacom URC round table, the Welshman said:
“We need to sit down and really look at exactly what is a red card.
“If something is completely accidental or careless and there is no recklessness in it, it wasn’t an act of thuggery, then we need to look at why we are giving a red card for something that is unlucky.
“If you go flying into a ruck with your shoulder first, your arms behind you, straight into the head of a player – a complete act of recklessness and danger – then you should be sent off and you shouldn’t be replaced in 20 minutes.
“We are stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment where we don’t want to spoil a game by someone being sent off unluckily and his team being down to 14 men.
“But my question is if someone is very unlucky, then why is he given a red card?
“So we need to decide what warrants a clear red card.”
Owens continued:
“We also have to remember player 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.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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