All Blacks coach Ian Foster says it's about tidying points of emphasis at the breakdown, not writing more regulations.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster says it's all about the laws rugby has, and not any it doesn't, when it comes to tidying up the always contentious breakdown area.

Foster was part of a group assembled by World Rugby recently to put the tackle area under the microscope, and the result of their forum in Paris has been a law application guideline (for competition post-July 1) issued by global HQ, rather than any law changes as such.

Foster said his view, and that of most of those in attendance in Paris, was that the game did not need any new laws to tidy up the breakdown area. Rather, there needed to be a better, more uniform, application of those that are in the book around the tackle.

Foster was joined by a wide cross-section of rugby people for the breakdown dissection, including fellow coaches Richie Gray, Russell Earnshaw and Joe Schmidt, referees Wayne Barnes and Jaco Peyper, Victor Vito and Josh Beaumont representing players, Dr Éanna Falvey and Ross Tucker from the medical side of the game and World Rugby staff Mark Harrington and Rhys Jones.

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"We had strong agreement not to add any more layers of law or interpretation, but to really focus on the critical parts of law we all agree make a difference at the breakdown," Foster told Stuff.

"The reason the meeting was successful was because we didn't introduce stuff. We actually had clearer conversations about what's working. Things like keeping focus on tacklers getting away from the ball, keeping focus on the ball-carrier having the opportunity to place, but not being able to roll around and double move. Also forcing people to show they're holding their weight rather than going off their feet, then trying to jackal the ball.

"They're things the game already knows. It may sound boring, but if we keep focusing hard and coach that technical stuff then hopefully we get a better result.

"At the moment we're still seeing a lot people off their feet at a breakdown. That creates a whole lot of collisions where people are going from high to low. It's not perfect, it's just redefining what has worked for us in the past and making sure we keep good at it."

JOE ALLISON/PHOTOSPORT James Lentjes' horror injury for the Highlanders against the Rebels is an example of what can happen when the breakdown goes wrong.

World Rugby's recommendation was four points of emphasis in laws 14 and 15 covering the breakdown. They are:

Tackler (Law 14): 14.5 – must a) Immediately release the ball and the ball-carrier after both players go to ground and b) Immediately move away from the tackled player and from the ball or get up.

Ball Carrier (Law 14): 14.2 – Being brought to ground means that the ball-carrier is lying, sitting or has at least one knee on the ground or on another player who is on the ground. 14.5 – Tacklers must: d) Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball.

First arriving player (Law 15): 15.11 – Once a ruck has formed, no player may handle the ball unless they were able to get their hands on the ball before the ruck formed and stay on their feet. 15.12 – Players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck.

Other arriving players (Law 15): 5 – An arriving player must be on their feet and join from behind their offside line. 6 – A player may join alongside but not in front of the hindmost player. 10 – Possession may be won either by rucking or by pushing the opposing team off the ball.

Foster agreed that the James Lentjes fracture and dislocation to his left ankle, suffered in the Highlanders' March Super Rugby defeat to the Rebels, was an extreme example of the sort of damage that can be caused when breakdown laws are not enforced.

"That was a tragic injury – a bit like Brodie Retallick the year before when he got hit off the side of a ruck and stuffed his shoulder," added Foster.

"We are all clear that side entry on attack is dangerous because often you're hitting a person who's not really prepared for what's coming and hitting on an angle you're vulnerable. That's been a clear focus from the referees and we ticked that box to say 'well done refs, keep going at it'.

"But it can't be the only focus because things happen at a breakdown before that often influence that. Getting back to tacklers being gone is one of the keys."

​World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont explained the decision to go with an emphasis on existing regulations rather than any law changes in "the most dynamic facet of the game" that is responsible for 9 per cent of match injuries.

"It was important we looked to identify ways to reduce the risk of injury, while promoting a fair contest for the ball," said Beaumont. "The group looked at a range of potential solutions, including law trials, but they unanimously agreed the best approach is to reinforce existing law.



"In particular, there will be focus on the ball-carrier playing or placing the ball immediately, the tackler releasing immediately, rewarding the player who wins the race to the contest, penalising side entry and players who dive, not drive, into rucks."