World Rugby this week announced plans for the introduction of a new set of guidelines that will aim to reduce weekly contact training. The hope is that the reduced weekly contact training will also result in a reduction in injuries. This move comes as a response to growing concerns about player safety and has been closely followed by the online betting community, particularly those placing bets on the Rugby World Cup, as changes in training regimens can impact team performance and player availability.
The new guidelines, which have been summarised by World Rugby in association with the players’ representative body International Rugby Players (IRP) into a six-point checklist, recommend weekly reductions in full-contact as well as controlled contact training. The recommendation for full-contact training is for a reduction to only 15 minutes per week, while controlled contact training is being recommended at 40 minutes with the help of tackle shields and protective body pads.
The current time-frame for full-contact training is around 19 minutes at elite level and 21 minutes for professional teams. The general consensus from a global survey involving 600 players is that this should be reduced even more, said World Rugby Director of Rugby, Joe Schmidt, this week.
World Rugby has come under immense recent pressure from player lobbyist groups. Last year’s landmark legal case against World Rugby drew attention once again to the risk of dementia at the top levels of the sport. The case was brought by former Lions and England hooker Steve Thompson after he himself was diagnosed with an early onset of the illness.
But according to World Rugby, the game is today already played in a much safer environment than what would have been the case when Thompson was playing. And the new guidelines will lower the risk of recurring concussions by even more. The changes are likely to affect how online betting odds are set for future matches, as the reduced risk of injury could mean more consistent player performance and fewer unexpected absences.
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More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
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