MUST READ: Rassie’s classic chirp as World Rugby limit water carrier role

Rassie Erasmus first drew plenty of attention when he served as a ‘water boy’ during the British & Irish Lions series, with a World Rugby ruling allowing for an extra person to fulfil this sideline role.

Some onlookers thought it was rather strange to see a director of rugby performing such a duty, including Lions coach Warren Gatland, who said he certainly wouldn’t be found in such a role.

READ | ELON MUSK IS NOT BUYING WORLD RUGBY SO SA CAN HOST RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023!

However, it worked a treat for the Springboks, with Erasmus feeding information to the players, while also serving as another set of eyes from the sidelines.

World Rugby has now confirmed they have ‘moved’ to “aid the flow of the game by trialling limits on non-playing personnel”.

Notably, in the statement, it specifically mentioned that while teams are “permitted up to two dedicated water carriers”, they “???????????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????”.

Social media users, particularly in South Africa, were quick to suggest that it was a decision clearly aimed solely at preventing someone like Erasmus from having an on-field influence on the game during stoppages.

However, Erasmus took the decision in his stride, echoing the sentiment of many others on social media by suggesting he would simply change his job title.

was just talking to my line manager yesterday!! She also thought “Director of Rugby” has a such a formal ring to it ! We agreed that Director of coaching will be so much better title for me! Lekka !! Cant wait https://t.co/1QYEkzdLF2

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) May 17, 2022

Erasmus was seemingly being fazed out of the role after the Lions series, but interestingly returned to a ‘water carrier’ position for the penultimate Test of last year against Scotland.

Some critics – particularly from the northern hemisphere – increasingly questioned his input from the sidelines, while there have been other accusations against other Bok management members who serve matchday roles on the sidelines.

World Rugby issued the following statement, which sparked a response from Rassie

The World Rugby Council has approved a global trial limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play during a match. Operational for all competitions and stand-alone matches starting after 1 July 2022, the trial aims to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising welfare.

The trial follows an extensive review by the international federation of the current elite rugby environment, including research into player hydration needs, and increasing disruption to play caused by multiple water carriers entering the field of play every time there is a stoppage.

JUST IN: SHOCKING DETAILS EMERGE INTO ‘BLOODY’ JANTJIES IN-FLIGHT INCIDENT

The new trial for non-medical personnel sets out a revised protocol for when medics and water-carriers, can access the field of play, limiting the ability to interact with the match officials, and providing a sanctioning framework for any action that that either interferes with play or is against the values of the sport.

The aim of the trial is to improve the flow of the game, reduce the opportunity for potential interference, enhance the spectacle for fans and support match management by match officials.

The trials have been devised in partnership with unions and key stakeholders, in particular International Rugby Players who are supporting the changes.

For all competitions, including Rugby World Cup 2021 playing in 2022, Rugby World Cup 2023 or stand-alone matches that begin after 1 July 2022 the following adjustments to Law 6 will apply:

Medics

• Can only provide water to players who they are treating
• Cannot field or touch a ball when it is live in play (sanction: penalty kick)
  
  Additional personnel
• Teams are permitted up to two dedicated water carriers
• Water carriers cannot be a Director of Rugby or Head Coach
• In elite-level rugby, water carriers will only be able to enter the field of play twice per half at points agreed with the match officials – this can only be during a stoppage in play or after a try has been scored
• A person bringing on a kicking tee may carry one bottle for the kicker’s use only
• These water/tee carriers must remain in the Technical Zone at all times before entering the field of play as permitted. Any attempt to field or touch the ball while it is live in play, including the technical zone, will be sanctioned with a penalty kick.
• No-one should approach, address or aim comments at the match officials, save for medics in respect of treatment of a player. Should this happen, the sanction will be a penalty kick.
  
  Players on the field
• May access water behind the dead ball line or from within their Technical Zone at any time

Mark Harrington Chief Player Welfare and Rugby Services Officer at World Rugby said “Helping the game to flow better whilst not compromising on the welfare of players is a key aim of these trials.  We’re taking concrete action to improve the flow of rugby matches, this will be the first time teams on the field of play could be sanctioned by the actions of those not directly involved in the contest.

“We’ve received feedback from across the game that the number of people who aren’t players, interrupting the flow of the game was getting out of hand.  But we needed to tackle the issue without impacting on the welfare of players and providing them with everything needed to perform at the highest level. I’d like to thank all our partners and stakeholders who have helped us strike the right balance with this new trial.“

Christian Day from England’s Rugby Players Association said:  Players’ views are of the utmost importance and so it was vital to be able to contribute some of the viewpoints we were given around non-playing individuals entering the field of play and how this has evolved within the modern game.  

“We feel that a common-sense position has been reached which should not have a negative impact on player welfare while hopefully reducing unnecessary stoppages and potential negative flashpoints during matches.”