The changes follow a cross-country Working Group meeting with representatives across all areas of the game held in September last year, which conducted a ‘clean sheet’ review of the SANZAR judicial process.

The objectives of the review were to provide a system that is fair, consistent and simple with fewer full hearings and consequently reduced costs.

“SANZAR has long held the view that the disciplinary process could be enhanced to provide for a more consistent and simplified outcome,” said Peters.

“We believe that these changes are an important step in the right direction”.

Key Changes:

1     On-field Referee Referral to Citing Commissioner

• Instances where a referee thinks an act of foul play has occurred but is not sure if a red card is warranted, or is unsure of the identity of a player
• Where a player makes a complaint to a referee who did not see an incident
• Can be in addition to a yellow card or penalty
• Referred to the Citing Commissioner for review

2     Citing Commissioner issues an “Off-Field Yellow Card”

• Instances where a Citing Commissioner observes a serious act of foul play that is close to but not quite a red card
• The Off-field yellow card is logged on the player’s disciplinary record in the same manner as an On-Field yellow card

3      Duty Judicial Officer

• Performs an initial assessment of citings, red cards or three yellow cards
• Duty Judicial Officer may hold a brief teleconference with the player and/or his representative
• Determines whether or not to offer the player a preliminary indication of penalty
• May refer to a full judicial hearing
• The player must accept he committed an act of foul play to be offered an indication of penalty
• If player does not accept the indication of penalty the matter will be referred to full hearing

4    Judicial Hearings

• Where a full judicial hearing is required it will be held by videoconference or teleconference with ‘in-person’ hearings only taking place in exceptional circumstances
• Other processes for the hearing will be the same as previously

5     Appeals

• SANZAR has a right of appeal the outcome of a judicial hearing on the following grounds:

-          Where there is substantial unfairness, or the penalty imposed on a player is clearly excessive or inadequate

-          Where there has been a fundamental error by the Judicial Officer in reaching his decision

• Normal rights of Appeal apply for players

The SANZAR trial has been approved by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and will form an important part of the IRB’s own full review of Regulation 17 that governs the disciplinary process internationally.

The new system will come into operation when the Super Rugby tournament kicks off on February 24.

Jaco Peyper

South Africa’s top referees scrummed against each and were given master classes from top coaches as part of a recently completed four-day training camp prior to the start of the 2012 rugby season.

Former Springbok prop Balie Swart had SA’s top whistlers packing down to demystify the intricacies of scrumming while Rassie Erasmus and Rudolph Straeuli took referees through examples of their pre-match analysis. They also put the match officials through the same training drills used by many of the teams.

“Feedback from those attending – and it included referees with Rugby World Cup experience – was that the pre-season camp was one of the best of its kind they had yet experienced,” said South African Rugby Union general manager of referees André Watson.

“In addition to the technical Law reviews and input from experienced coaches, they also underwent fitness testing, completed the updated BokSmart programme, participated in a motivational/self-analysis presentation and wrote the National Laws Exam.

“I’m confident that our Super and National Panel referees are now well prepared for the season and I’m personally looking forward to the first blast of the whistle on opening day.”

Material covered at the SA Referees’ Camp at Konka included the outcomes of a recent SANZAR workshop.

“We’re committed to ensuring uniform application of the Laws across all of the rugby competitions in which we officiate,” said Watson. “We met in Sydney with our SANZAR partners in the middle of January and agreed on protocols for the coming season.

“While there are no Law changes to be implemented, it was a platform to review the highs and lows of last year and agree on common expectations for the coming year.”

The so-called ‘Big Five’ – tackle, scrum, offside, ruck, and maul – remain the priority areas as in previous years but with additional emphasis on the following points:

Scrum

• Alignment – front rows must be in a position to interlock on engagement; there must be no touching of heads.
• Early engagement – both teams must start the engagement process simultaneously on the referee’s call.
• Engagement angles – front rows must push straight and parallel to the touchlines; loose-head props must not ‘walk’ the scrum around the tight-head.
• Binding – front rankers must bind on their opponent in the appropriate manner; no hands on the ground for support.
• Post-engagement infringements – illegal wheeling on purpose, so-called ‘whip wheeling’ and not pushing straight and parallel to the touchline are all actions to be penalised.

Tackle

• The tackler must release and clear away after the tackler.
• The tackler-assist must release in a clear and obvious manner before going for the ball.
• Arriving players must not go past the ball into an offside position and try to obstruct the opposition going for the ball.
• Players must respect the offside lines at the ruck and maul (the hindmost foot of their player in the ruck or maul).
• Arriving players not attempting to clean-out the opposition must demonstrate positive actions to stay on their feet.
• A player who uses correct technique but ends up off his feet after removing a threat is not penalised.

Assistant Referees at Vodacom Super Rugby level will also be called on to take a more involved approach to the game without becoming an interference or hindrance to the referee. This will involve greater monitoring of offside lines at the ruck and maul and infringements close to the touchline where the referee may be unsighted.

At least two Cape Town establishments have been approached to take bookings for large groups from someone purporting to be “Chair, Organising Committee, SARU”.

In one instance a Cape Town restaurant received a booking for a meal for 27 people on the strength of an apparently forged “proof of payment”. In the other a booking was made for 36 people.

The “proof of payment” is then used to claim overpayment for the forthcoming booking. The fraudster requests reimbursement into his account in order to ensure his party is able to pay for transport to fulfil the booking.

Businesses are advised to beware of a person calling himself Craig Adams, claiming to be “Chair, Organising Committee, SARU”. He uses the email address theboks@therugby.co.za in an attempt to lend credibility to his scam. SARU has no such employee and does not operate such an email domain.

SARU is making further inquiries with a view to referring the matter to the South African Police Services.

The union has recruited fourteen RugbyParticipation Officers (PO’s) to newly created roles in grassroots rugby across Wales to spearhead the scheme.

The new officers are contracted until 2014, and are based in rugby strongholds across the East and West of South Wales in accordance with Regional rugby demarcations, with two full time positions also delegated to North Wales.

Two officers will cover the Cardiff region, whilst there are two new members of staff looking after the Newport, Gwent and Caerphilly areas, a further six are dotted along the M4 corridor taking in Swansea, Bridgend, Neath/Port Talbot, Rhondda/Merthyr and Pontypridd & Cynon Valley, with two based in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and two spread across the East and West of North Wales.

The new ‘army’ of rugby ambassadors will go out into their communities with the particular aim of enhancing participation by children, adults and girls and will target three key areas:

Promote opportunities to play rugby in primary schools.
Deliver touch rugby programmes in secondary schools.
Develop a new summer adult ‘tough rugby’ programme and a commercially viable ‘pay to play’ series.
The new team will head into the schools and communities across Wales to explain how rugby can help its participants, both young and old, and enhance their involvement in the game.

The WRU officers will focus on getting children, young people and adults into the habit of being participants in activities which will improve their health.

The project has been launched in alignment with £400,000 of Sport Wales funding over the next three years and involves activity in every region of the nation.

The initiative is part of the WRU strategy to increase family participation in rugby at grassroots level to protect the future of the game in Wales.

It has been closely aligned to Welsh Government policy which is aimed at encouraging the nation to get into the habit of being active.

The idea is for physical activity to remain a key element of their lifestyle as they grow into adulthood.

In the initial stages the focus of the PO’s will be on physical activity with rugby becoming a more prominent factor as the children develop an interest in sport.

The officers will operate within the primary and secondary school systems working closely with local authority teaching staff.

They will also organise touch rugby programmes for girls and boys in secondary schools and develop adult touch rugby programmes and a series of get-fit rugby based activities.

Some of these activities should offer commercial opportunities and this will form the basis of a plan to continue the funding of the project after the initial three year funded period.

The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “The WRU is leading the way forward in creating and supporting children and families with positive rugby based learning programmes. Our desire is to work in partnership with like minded people such as Sport Wales to create a Welsh unity of purpose is a strong message to our nation.

“This is all about teamwork. In this environment there is no room for critics in the grandstand. We have got to get out there and do something positive.

“The WRU is committed to a spirit of cooperation and partnership to ensure we develop and prosper in these difficult times. We are putting considerable real money and effort behind this.”

The WRU National Development Manager, Jason Lewis, said: “We believe offering alternative forms of the game will encourage more of the target groups to engage with rugby.

“This new army of participation officers are an integral part of the WRU’s planning for the future and each of them carries a great weight of responsibility on their shoulders as we aim to not only maintain but significantly increase participation levels in our national sport in the years to come.

“Wales punches above its weight in the national game when you compare the population of our small country, and the participation levels within it, to our bigger cousins not only in England and France, but virtually throughout the top tier nations.

“But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and, although rugby is our national sport, we are nowhere near the saturation levels we could be.

“Offering alternative forms of the game will, we believe, encourage more of these target groups to engage with rugby. The WRU has some bold targets to achieve in terms of growth over the next four years and we are looking for a 25% increase in participation numbers in that time.

“In creating the new roles, existing staff have been allowed to focus more deeply on more traditional forms of the game. Player Development Officers can now work more closely with secondary schools, clubs and the WRU’s own player development pathway from U12 to U16.”

Professor Laura McAllister, Chair of Sport Wales, added: “The WRU should be commended for looking at alternative forms of the game to appeal to larger numbers of the population.

“If we are to achieve our ambition of getting every child hooked on sport for life, we need to do things differently. We can’t have more of the same.

“The project aims to get an additional 17,000 children regularly playing rugby by 2014/15 which would be a great outcome.

“It’s also paramount that the sports sector in Wales looks to measure itself against other nations if we are to realise a step change – just as the WRU is looking to New Zealand in terms of grassroots participation.”

Mr. Oregan Hoskins

South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) President, Mr Oregan Hoskins, has been elected Vice Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB) at a meeting in Los Angeles, USA, overnight.

Mr Hoskins, who faced opposition from current Vice Chairman, Bill Beaumont, was elected after securing the Chairman’s casting vote following two rounds of voting which were tied 13-13.

The election of Mr Hoskins followed the re-election of Bernard Lapasset of France as the chairman of the IRB for a second successive term. Mr Lapasset and Mr Hoskins will begin in office on January 1, 2012.

“It is an honour to accept this mandate,” said Mr Hoskins. “I am looking forward to working in partnership with Bernard and my colleagues on Council to ensure that Rugby is best placed to thrive as a sport at both the elite and community levels as we continue to build a platform for sustainable growth in the decade ahead that will include two Rugby World Cups and Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games debut.”

Mr Lapasset, who faced opposition from current Vice Chairman Bill Beaumont, was elected by a 14-12 from the 26 members of the Council in the first round of voting.

Mr Lapasset has presided over Rugby’s return to the Olympic Games, Argentina’s inclusion in The Rugby Championship, a 10-year tours and Test schedule, the awarding of Rugby World Cup to an Asian country for the first time and an exceptional Rugby World Cup 2011 during his recent term.

“I am committed to building on the good progress to date,” said Mr Lapasset. “We have fantastic opportunities to grow the game, to reach new markets and welcome new members to the Rugby family.

“Together we also have to address the issues that face our sport and many other sports, including the delivery of a robust financial model for sustainable growth for our Unions, upholding our values, promoting the best possible welfare for our athletes and maintaining integrity.”

The also elected the seven representatives to serve on the IRB Executive Committee (alongside Chairman Lapasset, Vice Chairman Hoskins and Chief Executive Mike Miller) for four years from January 1, 2012. They are: Bill Beaumont (England), Tatsuzo Yabe (Japan), Giancarlo Dondi (Italy), Peter McGrath (Australia), Peter Boyle (Ireland), Graham Mourie (New Zealand) and Bob Latham (NACRA)

Jonny Wilksinson

England and RC Toulon fly half Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old retires after an international career of 91 Tests for England, with appearances at four world cups and five starts at the most recent tournament in New Zealand.

Wilkinson’s list of accolades is headed by his 1,246 Test points, with his aggregate comprising 1,179 for England, 67 for the British & Irish Lions in six matches and a world best of 36 dropped goals, together with a peerless aggregate of 277 points in the RWC.

After first debuting at the age of 18 years and 314 days against Ireland 13 years ago, Wilkinson inked his name into England Rugby history by kicking the injury time drop goal that secured the 20-17 win over Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.

Speaking about the retirement on his official website, Jonny said: “To do so fills me with great sadness but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team.

“To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other set backs gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfilment. But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied.

“It goes without saying that I would like to wish Stuart Lancaster, his coaches and the England Squad every bit of success available to them. I would also very much like to extend those wishes to Martin Johnson, Brian Smith, Mike Ford, John Wells, Graham Rowntree and the rest of the England 2011 World cup management team who have been fantastic and deserve people to know that.”

England Interim Head Coach Stuart Lancaster paid tribute to “one of England’s greatest players.”

Lancaster said: “Jonny has had a fantastic international career which ranks as one of England’s greatest ever players.

“He will of course be remembered for that drop goal but he is more than that, a model sportsman – down to earth and hard working, who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can.

“Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him. Not only has he been a world class player but he has inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.

“He will continue to do great things with Toulon and I would like to go and see him in France to learn from his vast knowledge and experience of 13 years at the very top of the international game.”

Dawie Theron’s young stars have again been pooled with England, having suffered defeat to them at the same stage in this year’s tournament. South Africa also lost to England in the semi-finals in both the inaugural 2008 and 2009 events. The one success came in 2010 when England were beaten 27-22 in the bronze medal match in Argentina.

South Africa have also been drawn with Ireland and Italy in a tough Pool B while defending champions New Zealand take on Fiji, Wales and Samoa in Pool A. Pool C is equally tough with Australia, France, Argentina and Scotland drawn together.

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town and the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch will jointly host the tournament between June 4 and 22.

In a move away from recent Championship formats, the 2012 event will feature just two venues with triple-headers being played on five match days to maximise crowds and create a festival format within what is a large Rugby heartland.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The IRB Junior World Championship has grown to become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the global Rugby calendar, delivering a competitive development pathway for our Unions as well as a fantastic competitive product which has proven a hit with fans and broadcasters.”

“So far, 111 players have made the step up from the Tournament to win full Test caps, including 49 players who made their mark at Rugby World Cup 2011.”

“We look forward to another memorable tournament in 2012 and the opportunity to embrace the rich Rugby heritage of the region with the dynamic and free-flowing Rugby provided by the next generation of international Test stars.”

The South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) is committed to delivering a tournament to further the growth of Rugby within the country, while building on the record-breaking 2011 edition staged in the Veneto region of Italy which was screened live by 19 broadcasters to 142 territories.

IRB Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias, speaking in South Africa for the announcement, said: “The IRB Junior World Championship is strategically important both for the IRB and participating Unions as it provides a competitive international arena to test and develop some of the best up and coming players and referees in the world.”

“South Africa has a proven record in hosting wonderful Rugby events and I am sure the teams and players will enjoy a unique experience here next year.”

SARU President Oregan Hoskins said: “We are delighted to host the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 in our rugby-mad country and we look forward to welcoming the teams here in June.”

The South African pair of Patrick Lambie and Francois Hougaard join an illustrious list of graduates, which includes New Zealand’s RWC 2011 winners Aaron Cruden, Zac Guildford and Sam Whitelock, Australia’s David Pocock and Will Genia, England’s Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs and Wales’ youngest ever RWC captain Sam Warburton

American born Irish Superstar, Ronan O'Gara

Ronan O’Gara simply can’t stop grabbing the headlines in the Heineken Cup. In the opening two rounds his last gasp drop goals helped Munster Rugby across the line in the Pool 1 clashes with Northampton Saints and Castres Olympique and this week his name will once again be on everyone’s lips as he looks set to make his 100^th appearance in the tournament.

If he does reach the milestone at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, it won’t be a first for the Irish points machine as team-mate John Hayes played his 100^th game in Round 1. But the man who won the ERC European Player Award (1995-2010), and the first man to pass 1,000 tournament points, isn’t worried about that.

“I was honoured to present John Hayes with his cap for reaching 100 Heineken Cup matches. He was the most fitting Munster man to achieve that milestone,” said O’Gara.

“It is a great thing to achieve, but I don’t look upon it as anything big at this stage. When I retire in a few years time I will look back on it as being a significant cap because it is such a fantastic competition.

“It is a competition that has given me every possible emotion – and that’s why you play the game. I have had wonderful moments and disappointing moments, but that’s why you get involved in sport and that’s why this team is so special to me and why the fans are so loyal to the Heineken Cup – it is a wonderful ambassador for northern hemisphere rugby.”

How do you pick out one moment from a European career that started with a 48-40 defeat at The Stoop against Harlequins back in the 1997/98 season and has seen O’Gara win two titles, reach four finals and five other semi-finals. It is virtually impossible, especially as this season’s two games have thrown up two more candidates for his Top 10 best moments.

“Because of the way the competition is structured, if you are lucky enough to win it you play nine games, which isn’t many. That means every game in Europe is a big one,” he added.

“That has been the way Munster has always looked upon it. Last year when we didn’t get out of our group we were guilty of treating every game the same. But the stature of the Heineken Cup is that it has been held above everything else. That’s the way it has always been for us in Munster and that’s how I want it to be.

“I’ve been so lucky because the Heineken Cup has given me so many great memories. To name just a few would be doing an injustice to the 25 or more others I could choose.

“You can go back to the semi-final against Toulouse in 2000 and see the brand of rugby we played. Munster had traditionally been a forward orientated side, but that was the start of the 15 man game.

“We have evolved every season since then, which you have to do, because the standard rises every year – it is an unbelievable competition.”

Now in his 15th season in the tournament, the 34-year-old O’Gara has seen the Heineken Cup develop from its infancy. There were a mere 2,000 at Musgrave Park in 1998 to see his home debut in the win over Petrarca, whereas these days Thomond Park is more often than not filled to its 26,000 capacity for European games.

“No one had a clue when it first started that it would grow into what it has become. The whole thing has snowballed,” said O’Gara.

“It was popular at certain stages throughout the season, but the support bases that Munster, Ulster, Leinster have built, and now Connacht, have been phenomenal. It is real a tribute to what these provinces have done.

“When we played Leinster in Dooradoyle in 1997 there were 500 people there. Now we can get 80,000 for a Heineken Cup clash between the same two teams. That shows the impact the game has in this country and it doesn’t happen by chance – there has been a lot of hard work done by the provinces, ERC and Heineken.

“The fascinating thing about the Heineken Cup is it is a club competition. People miss that point sometimes. You have some of the best players in your country on the team and then some younger players who are trying to develop who wouldn’t get on an international side.

“What is so good about the Heineken Cup is the game that can be played – you have more time on the ball. You have a second longer than you would have in international rugby.

“That’s the key difference. There are opportunities for mis-matches whereas at international level that doesn’t happen, which is why it is a slightly less appealing game to the fans.”

The meeting will take place in Cape Town on January 27, 2012 and is required by the SARU constitution, which specifies that the appointment of the Springbok coach has to be approved by the General Council to become official.

The General Council will receive a recommendation from the Executive Council which will meet 24 hours earlier to finalise the selection process.

SARU will make no further comment on the matter until an appointment is confirmed due to issues of confidentiality.

The Special General Council meeting will also decide on a process to identify SARU’s entrants to the Vodacom Super Rugby competition in 2013.

Note: The General Council of SARU is made up of two representatives from each of the 14 provincial unions (one of whom must be that union’s president), associate members of SARU and the Executive Council of SARU. The representatives of the unions and the SARU president are the members entitled to vote (29 in total)