TREADING THE FINE LINE

Depending where you sit on the spectrum, the officiating of contact to the head is either becoming a blight on the game, or necessary action to protect player safety. Middle ground is often hard to find in this debate.

Before tackling the most controversial elements of rulings around accidental contact to the head, and whether referees have the power to consider common sense, it is worth considering how we reached this point. Depending where you sit on the spectrum, the officiating of contact to the head is either becoming a blight on the game, or necessary action to protect player safety. Middle ground is often hard to find in this debate. Before tackling the most controversial elements of rulings around accidental contact to the head, and whether referees have the power to consider common sense, it is worth considering how we reached this point.

‘We have also seen Caleb Clarke’s accidental chargedown incident handed the same three-week punishment as others, such as Crusaders hooker Shilo Klein, who demonstrated clear intent.’

Two years ago, World Rugby issued a directive designed to give clear guidance through the head contact process as a result of a comprehensive review of the high tackle sanction framework actioned at the player welfare symposium in Paris. The review group featured a mix of players, coaches, referees, medics and disciplinary representatives including Conrad Smith, Dave Rennie, Joe Schmidt, Jaco Peyper, Gregor Townsend, Paddy O’Brien and Wayne Barnes. Schmidt commented at the time: “Despite the disruption of the global pandemic, the review process, which started last March, has been highly collaborative with excellent contributions across the multi-disciplinary group. The head contact process will be regularly reviewed with the ambition to ensure it continues to reflect and support the current playing landscape.”

Continue this story in our June 22 issue – on shelves now!