Former Test referee Glen Jackson has been confirmed as Sanzaar’s tackle technique review officer for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

As part of a new law trial, Super Rugby will therefore feature a Tackle Technique Review Process in 2020.

The shadow trial will see Sanzaar looking at all tackles each round and identifying tackles in which the tackler is in an upright body position, and in the event it is deemed the tackler has shown poor technique in executing an upright tackle, a warning may be sent to the player and player’s coach.

In the event that a player receives a second warning, or a warning subsequent to their second, he will be asked to complete a short questionnaire on tackle technique.

This process will be an educational process that will aim to educate players and coaches of high-risk behaviours by identifying poor tackle techniques and seeking to inform players of better choices they can make in the tackle zone.

To oversee the trial Sanzaar has appointed a tackle technique review officer. Former player and recently retired international referee Glen Jackson will begin work from the first round. The 2018 New Zealand referee of the year, Jackson was the first Kiwi to play and referee 100 first-class matches.

‘The High Tackle Technique Review process will not impose any sanctions on players,’ Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said. ‘It is not designed to penalise the player in any way but to hopefully shine a light on poor technique that has been shown to increase the risk of significant injury and attempt to affect behavioural change via education and identification.

‘We are extremely fortunate to have Glen take up this role. His career includes refereeing 32 international matches, 88 Super Rugby matches and 60 Mitre 10 Cup matches in New Zealand. He only recently retired as a referee and is ideally placed to act as the review officer for the law trial.”

‘Of course, those tackles deemed high and reckless or dangerous within any match will be treated under the existing laws of the game and will incur sanctions.’

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