RLWC 2021 must-know guide

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RLWC2021 is very nearly here, and we can't wait for the action to get underway. With 61 matches, 20 nations, and three tournaments, this is going to be the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup in history.

Here is a breakdown of some of the key elements that will be in place throughout the tournament that you can expect to see.

The Laws of the Game

Without going into all laws of the game, below is confirmation of any laws that may differ from domestic leagues, considered as International Laws.  

Drop Goals 

In NRL a drop goal is worth one point unless it is kicked from outside the 40 metre line when it is then worth two points. In the international game a drop goal is worth one point regardless of where it is kicked from. 

Offside at play the ball infringements

In NRL there is a tackle count restart for all offside infringements at the play the ball which occur more than 40 metres from the team in possessions own goal line. A full penalty is awarded for all offside infringements at the play the ball within 40 metres of the team in possessions goal line. In the international game offside infringements at play the ball incurs a full penalty regardless of position on the field. 

Tackle count restart 

In NRL there is a tackle count restart for all play the ball infringements which occur more than 40 metres from the team in possessions own goal line. A full penalty is awarded for all play the ball infringements within 40 metres of the team in possessions own goal line. In the international game there is a tackle count restart for all play the ball infringements regardless position on the field.  

Stealing the ball

In Super League if two people become involved in making a tackle then the ball cannot be stolen even if players subsequently drop off the tackle. In international law the ball can be stolen from the player in possession at any stage prior to a tackle being completed when there is only one defender effecting the tackle

Squad Numbers 

All selected players will receive a squad number which will remain the same throughout the entirety of the tournament. 

For the first time in Rugby League World Cup history, each player will have their name displayed on the back of their jersey making each player easy to identify. 

Captain's Challenge

During Rugby League World Cup 2021, all matches in the Men's and Women's Tournaments will be able to utilise a "Captain's Challenge".

The Captain's Challenge can be applied to certain on field decisions made by the Referee. Teams are entitled to one challenge per match. However, if a team challenges successfully or the decision is deemed inconclusive, they retain their challenge. If a challenge is unsuccessful it is lost and the team has no challenges remaining. 

There are no additional challenges issued to teams should a match be tied and Golden Point Extra Time is played. 

Only the Captain, or a player nominated in the Captain's absence can call for a ‘Captain's Challenge', and they have 10 seconds to do so after the Referee has made their decision. 

Should play restart prior to the 10 seconds elapsing no Captain's Challenge can be submitted. A challenge can be made when the Referee has made a decision which results in the game being stopped. A challenge cannot be requested during general play. 

‘Play on' calls by the Referee cannot be challenged. Once the challenge has been made, the Referee will confirm the Captain's Challenge, and which decision is being challenged. The decision will then be referred to the Video Referee, who will be shown the decision on a video replay. If, in their opinion, the decision is ‘clearly and obviously wrong' the decision can be overturned.  If the challenge is successful, the on-pitch Referee will give the signal for the correct decision. If the challenge is unsuccessful the match will recommence as originally determined by the Referee.

Squad Announcements 

Preliminary Squad List

Each nation will submit their 19 (men's and women's tournaments) or 10-person (wheelchair tournament) Preliminary Squad by noon (12:00) 48 hours before the match. 

Match Day Squad List

A final Match Day Squad (17 or 10 players) will be submitted no later than 75‐minutes prior to the scheduled kick‐off. No team is obliged to confirm or announce their final Match Day Squad until 60‐minutes prior to kick‐off. However, some nations may publicly confirm their Match Day squad, or elements thereof, in‐advance of submitting the final Match Day Squad. 

Match Officials

Rugby League World Cup 2021 has assembled a team of 36 of the best match officials from across the globe to officiate at all 61 fixtures across all three tournaments.

There are also three female officials on the list with Kasey Badger, Belinda Sharpe and Rochelle Tamura set to officiate across the men's and women's tournament fixtures.

The Wheelchair Tournament, which is being run alongside the men's and women's competitions for the first time in the sport's history, will have eight match officials in total. 

Video Referees 

During the Rugby League World Cup 2021, all matches in the Men's and Women's Competition will have a Video Referee. The Wheelchair competition will not have a Video Referee.  

The Video Referee can be called upon by the on-field officials to assist with decision making for a number of different scenarios, from making decisions on tries to the identification of offenders in foul play situations. 

The Video Referee will be in position to assist with all warm-up checks, with the on-field officials 30 minutes prior to the scheduled kick off time. The Video Referee will not visit the dressing rooms at half time and will not leave the video refereeing position. 

They will have a communications radio to speak directly to the Referee. As well as any decisions referred to them by the Referee or courtesy of a Captain's Challenge they will also have responsibility for assisting the on field officials with various aspects of the game. 

Discipline 

RLWC2021 has an Official Judiciary Tribunal Panel who will review all individual cases of discipline breaches on a case-by-case basis. Players and officials have signed up to a code of conduct and should there be a breach of those conditions, the panel will review. 

Injuries

While all injuries have a protocol in place throughout the tournament, this relates specifically to the head injury review system that will be implemented at RLWC2021.  

Head Injury Review System

o   Following the removal of the Player, the Doctor must wait five minutes before beginning a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), during which time they should view the playback of the incident (the Player must not be left alone whilst this takes place). If at this stage they become aware that the Player had a category one feature the Player cannot Return to Play (RTP) and must be diagnosed as concussed.

o   The HIA must not take place pitch-side but in the medical, dressing room or other suitable private facility.

o   TSCAT5 must be used as part of the HIA, as an aid to clinical judgement. The doctor's clinical assessment may not overrule an adverse SCAT5 or evidence of category one symptoms, and therefore must diagnose them as being concussed if either of these are present. Similarly, a "normal" SCAT5 does not mean the Doctor cannot diagnose the player as concussed.

o   Where the Player has not had any category one symptoms and has returned a SCAT5 comparable to their pre-tournament baseline, then the Doctor may use their clinical judgement to determine whether the Player has suffered a concussion. Where the Doctor deems that the Player is fit to RTP, the Player must wait until the end of the 15-minute HIA period.

o   Where a Doctor does not know the Player, they should err on the side of caution when applying clinical judgement.

o   Any Player removed from the field of play more than once during the same match for a HIA should not be allowed to return to play during that same match, no matter the outcome of the second HIA. The decision to diagnose the player as concussed or not remains with the assessing doctor, but irrespective of the diagnosis, they may not return to the pitch during that match