Super Rugby Pacific 2022 Law Variations to aid the spectacle

SANZAAR has confirmed the law variations approved by World Rugby that will be applied for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.

The organisers believe the law trials will add to the spectacle.

Super Rugby Pacific Law Variations

Super Rugby Pacific 2022 will see two Law Variations included for the season: 

• Replacements for red-carded players after 20 minutes
• And the introduction of Golden Point extra time for regular season matches.

Red Card

If a player is red-carded he may then be replaced, however, only after 20 minutes. The 20mins from when a player is red-carded to when they may be replaced is measured as “game time” not real time.

READ: Sharks coach rates Lukhanyo Am as best in the world

Golden Point

A regular-season match that is tied at the end of normal time will go to a 10-minute golden point period. This will be played after a five-minute break. Then the first team to score will be the winner. However, If no points are scored in the Golden Point period then the match is declared a draw.

Entertaining rugby

READ: Salmaan Moerat commits to Cape rugby

RA General Manager of Professional Rugby Services, Ben Whitaker earlier said:

“The red card and ‘Golden Point’ law variations ensure the fans are treated to competitive, exciting matches under all circumstances. These competition variations will ensure players and teams can showcase the rugby power of the Pacific to fans around the region and the world.”

READ: London Irish add South African hooker to squad

Chris Lendrum meanwhile said the focus this year was the speed of games was aimed at creating a spectacle for fans.

“Super Rugby Pacific is played at an incredibly high tempo and we think the skills on display are the best in the world. Fans want to see fast, continuous rugby with less stoppages and we’re committed to making that happen.”

The 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Season will officially kick off this Friday, 18 February. When the Waratahs take on competition newcomers the Fijian Drua at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.