All elements of the trial will be in place again as Argentina joins the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies in The Castle Rugby Championship.

The only significant change from the Vodacom Super Rugby season is that the Duty Judicial Officer (DJO), and if required the Judicial Officer (JO) will be from neutral countries.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said at the end of the season a full report would be compiled before presenting the results to the International Rugby Board.

“SANZAR will conduct a full review of both the Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship trial at the conclusion of the season.”

“The new IRB Regulation 17 introduced on 1 June allows tournament organisers some flexibility with respect to their own rules, providing they are not in conflict with the core principles of IRB Regulations.”

“SANZAR therefore following its review of the trial will be implementing its own rules for The Rugby Championship.”

The full trial elements applied are as follows:

On-field Referee Referral to Citing Commissioner (White Card)

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

Citing Commissioner can issue an Off-Field Yellow Card

• Instances where the Citing Commissioner observes a serious act of foul play that is close but not quite a red card
• Off-field yellow cards same status as on-field ones
• Collaboration prior to citing and weekly reviews

Duty Judicial Officer

• Initial assessment of cases of citings, red cards or three yellow cards
• May hold a brief teleconference with 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

Player must accept he committed the act of foul play to be offered an indication of penalty. If player does not accept the indication matter referred to full hearing

Judicial Hearings • By videoconference
• Only in person in exceptional circumstances
• Otherwise same as previously
• Regular peer review of cases

Appeals

• SANZAR right of appeal on grounds of:
• Substantial unfairness or clearly excessive or inadequate penalty
• Fundamental error by JO
• Normal rights of appeal for player