Rulings Related
to Law 4-Players’ Clothing
December 31, 2000
Two new rulings have been
issued by the United States of America Rugby Referees Association (USARRA).
They are both effective immediately.
The first relates to the requirement for an IRB authorized mark on some
equipment worn by players, the second relates to the soles of the multi-studded
boots. Please disseminate the
rulings to referees and clubs in your local area union as soon as possible.
IRB Authorized Mark
In accordance with Law 4.6
shoulder pads, headgear and chest pads worn by players must bear the authorized
mark of the IRB to indicate that they conform to the Law of the Game. Law
4.7 (a) requires that referees (or touch judges) inspect equipment to ensure
conformance. The Laws became effective worldwide on October 1, 2000, but
were not actively applied in the USA during the fall season. The
informal grace period gave rugby equipment suppliers the opportunity to obtain
approved equipment and the players a chance to purchase the new equipment as it
became available. The equipment is now readily available and the grace
period must now come to an end. USA Rugby must come into conformance with
the Law and the rest of the World.
After extensive discussion
among the Laws subcommittee and USARRA, and in discussion with representatives
of the Rugby Football Union (of England) we recognized that, in not inspecting
equipment as required by Law 4.7 (a), referees were exposing themselves the
specter of legal liability. With that specifically in mind, we made the
decision to enforce the law as currently written, without deviation or without
grant of any further grace period for implementation. Additional impetus
for the decision came from the fact that many players are wearing black headgear
that is known to be without the IRB authorized mark by its very color.
Specifically, the IRB has stated that no black headgear will receive its
approval because of the difficulty in seeing blood on such headgear.
Therefore, effective
immediately all referees are required to enforce Law 4.6 by conducting an
inspection of a player's clothing and studs as required by Law 4.7(a).
Multi studded Soles
Over the past year or so,
several models of rugby boots have appeared on the market that do not have the
traditional circular studs, but instead have a series of low profile ridges,
sometimes referred to, perhaps unfortunately, as “blades”. The
following provides a basis for determining which of those boots conform to the
Law.
1. Acceptable studs
and soles are covered under Law 4.4.
2. Sections (a),
(b) and (c) cover the requirements for traditional studs. Some molded and
multi -studded soles may be considered as acceptable under these provisions.
3.
Section (d) covers the requirements for acceptability for those boots with
multi-studded soles that are not considered as acceptable under any part of
sections (a), (b) or (c).
4. To meet the
requirements of section (d) the multi-studded sole must be entirely molded from
rubber. If any part of the sole or studs is other than rubber (e.g.
plastic or metal) the boots are unacceptable.
5. To meet the
requirements of section (d) the multi-studded sole must have no sharp edges or
ridges.
6. The restriction
in section (b) is intended to apply to traditional studs, and does not
apply to the soles considered in section (d). Thus the individual
studs of such multi-studded soles do not have to be circular, provided that they
have no sharp edges or ridges.
7. If the soles and
studs, traditional and otherwise, meet the above provisions but, in the
referee's opinion, the boot is liable to cause injury to a player the referee
should prohibit the boot. Such a prohibition is provided for under Law 4.5
(h).
December 31, 2000
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