News: The International Rugby Board (IRB) is to consider outlawing some defensive kicks to help speed up rugby union.
IRB chairman Syd Millar said yesterday the proposal, banning kicks directly into touch following passes back into the 22-metre area from scrums or lineouts, had come from Australia coach Eddie Jones.
"It will mean you will have to clear the ball from the site of the lineout or scrum and that will no doubt mean the ball will be in play longer," Millar said, adding the recommendation would be discussed at the next IRB meeting in June.
Millar was speaking after an IRB conference on the game, which was attended by many of the world's leading coaches, referees, players and administrators, including England's Clive Woodward and Jones. The conference also looked at laws relating to the tackle, scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls, as well as issues such as injuries and player safety.
Woodward received clarification on decoy runners. He was against laws being altered, but he did call for their interpretation to be tightened. The concern over decoy runners is, if used illegally, the attacking player obstructs a potential tackler.
Woodward received swift feedback from the IRB, who confirmed exactly what is acceptable with regard to decoy runners.
"The laws are adequate in relation to decoy running," the IRB outlined in a statement. "For clarification, the decoy runner must be in an onside position. If he runs in front of the ball carrier before the pass is made, he is offside and liable to penalty (Law 11). After the ball carrier has passed the ball, the decoy runner must not obstruct opposition players (Law 10.1 Obstruction and Law 11 Offside)."
Woodward took the same stance with the issue of interpretations of ruck and maul situations. The IRB confirmed plans for "an education programme in relation to referee management protocols at the tackle and ruck" would be presented at the annual meeting in April. Jones has also called for the number of replacements to be increased to allow injured players to be replaced and speed the game up.
Among the key recommendations to be consideree in April is "the idea of research into the maul, to include injury surveillance, management, defence, binding and obstruction".
Meanwhile, Woodward's pledge to bring his strongest side to New Zealand this year will not be threatened by clubs refusing to release players. He said the 1998 tour when England left many of their big names behind because of problems with their clubs was an embarrassment. Last year Woodward took his best side and won 15-13 in Wellington, then went on to beat Australia 25-14 in Melbourne.
Wales star Scott Gibbs (33), is set to announce his retirement from professional rugby today. Gibbs, who quit the Test arena in 2001 after winning 53 caps and three Lions tours, has captained the Neath-Swansea Ospreys this season, but also suffered injuries.
