World Rugby approved a series of law amendments, effective 1 July 2024. targeting key areas such as offside from kicks, free-kick options, and player welfare concerns.
The governing body said the law changes were “fan-focused”, to increase the sport’s entertainment factor and attract new audiences to grow the game., former Test referee Owens said the law change could in fact have a massively detrimental effect on the space for backs to attack. “For the guys in the front row, the likes of your Adam Joneses and your Ben Tameifunas, their bread and butter is being in the scrum. It’s a chance for them to use their strength and physical ability to benefit their team.
“If we don’t have those players in the scrum, we’re just going to have continuous pick-and-go ball. You’re not going to better the game at all. It is less collisions we need to encourage in the game, not more.