World Rugby to introduce New Heat Guidelines Including Extended Half-times
The governing body will publish new heat guidelines in the summer.
Saturday 13 April 2024 | 14:16
ijian Drua players (from left) Selestino Ravutaumada and Vilive Miramira during training at the Drua ground in Legalega, Nadi. The Drua has been training under extreme heat. Photo: Fijian Drua
World Rugby is looking to introduce extended half-times and more water breaks during matches played in hot and humid conditions.
Players travelling to play in warmer environments could also be asked to complete a heat education module.
World Rugby's chief medical officer Eanna Falvey said the measures will be used as "ways for us to avoid postponing or having to cancel games".
The governing body will publish new heat guidelines in the summer.
Other measures include encouraging players to keep on damp shirts, rather than putting a fresh dry shirt that might increase body temperature.
The governing body will also recommend an acclimatisation period of up to two weeks when players change region and environment.
In 2020, rugby league player Keith Titmuss collapsed and later died aged 20 after a training session with Australian club Manly Sea Eagles.
A coroners’ inquest found he died of exertional heat stroke.
During the 2020 bushfires that badly affected the country, Rugby Australia took the decision to move Super Rugby side the Brumbies from Canberra
to Newcastle during the pre-season for several weeks because of poor air quality in Canberra.
