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Head injury assessment and lower-limb tackle laws among RFL Board amendments
Image source, SWpix.com
Rugby league sides will be able to call on their 18th player replacement after two head injury assessments or a serious injury caused by foul play, as part of new law changes for 2024.
Previously, the 18th named player on a matchday could only be introduced to the interchange bench after three HIA incidences within a game.
The law around lower limb leg tackles and misconduct has also been tweaked.
Those tackles can now be categorised as reckless endangerment.
In the amendments, tackles seen as not "controlled" are strikes anywhere from the knee down, while tacklers are encouraged to avoid the following issues when making a challenge:
- Off the feet at point of contact
- Failing to wrap the arms in the tackle
- Making contact below the knee or on the knee
- Putting head in front of a ball-carrier
- Player not looking at ball-carrier in the contact area and lack of control in approach
Green cards, which impose a two-minute 'cool-off' period handed to players who receive treatment within the field of play will now only apply to the Super League and also only to defending teams.
Changes to the ruck area and scrum
The set-restart, often-referred to as 'six again', will no longer be given for ruck infringements within 40 metres of the team in possession's line with a penalty restored for such incidents.
There is also a push for players to 'tidy' up the ruck, with encouragement to play the ball with the foot and be fully on their feet, while tacklers will also be penalised for flops and hands in the ruck.
Scrum infringements will now give teams the chance to reset the scrum rather than take the penalty, and should further issues arise the option of a sin-bin for repeat offences will be put forward to referees.