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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A World Rugby experiment to have two on-field referees in major matches will be trialed in next year's New Zealand's National Provincial Championships.
The two-referee proposal is the most radical to emerge from a review of rugby's rules conducted by the world governing body this year. The responsibilities of each refere have not been specified, but it is thought the second referee will primarily police a new offside line which will be set a meter back from rucks.
New ruck rules will also be trialed. A ruck is currently formed when a player from each team is in contact over the ball, but the new rule redefines a ruck as a breakdown, meaning a ruck occurs when one attacking player is over the ball.
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