World Rugby, the international federation, has confirmed that the use of the “bunker”, which allows a yellow card to be transformed into red in the event of dangerous and contentious action, will take place during the next World Cup in France (September 8 -October 28). This is a new rule put in place by World Rugby, which was used in the last U20 World Cup and the Super Rugby recently won by the All Blacks.
Now the field umpires remain the main decision-makers, but they can now refer fouls to a “Foul Play Review Officer” (FPRO), located in what is known as “the bunker” (in an isolated location), when a red card is not easy. Recently, it was with the use of this new technological process (which uses images produced by World Rugby) that England opener and captain Owen Farrell was sent off during a warm-up match against Wales. Ditto, last weekend, with the red card given to number 8 of the XV of the Rose, Billy Vunipola.
During the Blues’ first warm-up match against Scotland, Scottish prop Zander Fagerson received a yellow card for a more than dangerous clearing on the head of Pierre Bourgarit. He had logically been excluded for 10 minutes but, 5 minutes later, his yellow card had turned into red.
In practice, the “FPRO” has eight minutes to decide whether or not the yellow card deserves to be transformed into red. A new arbitration system to avoid long minutes of waiting on the pitch and controversy with the public who previously saw the images of the disputed action broadcast on the big screens of the stadium. The “bunker” used during the World Cup should be based at Roland-Garros, according to information from L’Équipe.
In addition, World Rugby has confirmed that during the World Cup, shots will now be timed. The shot clock will tell players the 90 seconds they have to complete a conversion and the 60 seconds it will take to take a penalty. The French will not be too disoriented since this measure is already effective in the Top 14.
