New rules on protective gear to be drawn up

NEW rules on the wearing of protective garments and padding by rugby players during games are expected to be drawn up in January by the International Rugby Board (IRB). It will attempt to clarify the confusion over the issue which has been highlighted during the current tour by Australia.

Officials from the Scottish Rugby Union are believed to have been unhappy with the padded vests worn by several members of the Australian team during last Saturday's international match at Murrayfield which, they felt, contravened the rules of the game.

Australian team officials, however, point out that the practice of wearing such garments in the southern hemisphere is commonplace and has become increasingly necessary to protect against injuries at a time when professional players are being asked to play a growing number of competitive matches.

"We don't really consider it to be much of an issue because the Springboks, New Zealand and ourselves all wear these type of vests which are made out of material a bit like wet suits and are just intended to help prevent a player getting hurt," says Greg Thomas, a spokesman for the touring party.

The vests do, however, appear to clearly contravene law four of the game which states that padding made of "soft thin pads of cotton wool, sponge runner or similar soft material" may only be worn if they are attached to the body by adhesive tape while any separate undergarments are specifically prohibited.

In all cases, however, the final decision on whether to allow such equipment to be used rests with the match referee and Thomas points out that there were no objections from this quarter last Saturday.

"Technically It is (against the rules) but until there is a clampdown on it then it is up to the refs' and we've had no objections on the tour from them; so far. On Saturday players from both sides had padding under their shirts but there was no problem because it as only intended to protect them from injuries."

English referee Ed Morrison did raise the matter with the teams prior to the first tri nations match between Australia and the All Blacks during the summer although on that occasion, Thomas insists, players from both sides did use the vests despite the reservations of the match official.

While the disagreements over the rules seem primarily to arise between the two hemispheres, there are also different interpretations amongst the home nations with regard to this and other items of safety equipment, particularly head gear. Ireland's position with regard to the rules also appears to be dubious.

Irish shirts do have additional material around the shoulders intended to afford protection and this too would appear to contravene the rule which states that no such padding may be sewn into players' jerseys.

"The top of our shirts just have a bit of heavy quilting," says Irish manager Pat Whelan who adds that "I wouldn't object to that or anything else just intended to protect a player as long as it doesn't create any advantage for a team over their opposition."

Whelan doesn't feel that any request will be made to match referee Brian Campsall next week to have the vests and other padding removed but asserts that the matter should be made more clear by the IRB early in the new year.