Super 12 refs to crack down on scrums
February 3, 2003

Southern Hemisphere referees are set to crack dwon on scrum infringements as part of a new, stricter approach to the Super 12.

The new policy is in order to prepare the sides for what they can expect in the World Cup later this year.

Top South African professional referee Mark Lawrence briefed media representatives during the weekend on the style in which the game will be reffed in the next few months. The four Super 12 regions have also been briefed.

The changes come mainly in the scrum and tackle area where referees will tighten up significantly to ensure a "fair contest".

The four South African professional refs, namely Tappe Henning (Bulls), André Watson (Sharks), Jonathan Kaplan (Stormers) and Lawrence (Cats) have each been assigned to a Super 12 franchise and will spend time analysing the sides and even pointing out habitual offenders.

The scrum has been targeted as the main tolerance area in the game. Referees are set to become stricter, especially where the crouch and binding are concerned.

So strict will the rules be that even skew feeds into the scrums have been ordered to be penalised and refs will be casting an eye over the binding of the No 8s at the back of the scrum.

Other interesting changes include the role of the touch judges being reduced to line-out related matters and foul play, which removes them from the technical area. Another change is that scrumhalves may no longer run into a line-out as a dummy runner.

Only four personnel from both sides will be allowed on to the field at any time and no water breaks will be allowed at penalty kicks.

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