Sanzaar and NFL Introduce New Rules for 2024

The Rugby Championship will trial several new rules aimed at speeding up gameplay and offering more flexibility in red card punishments. Players can be sin-binned for 20 minutes for certain offences, after which a replacement can be fielded, while more severe infractions will result in the team playing a man down for the rest of the game. Additionally, kickers will have 60 seconds for conversions and penalties, and scrums and lineouts must be set within 30 seconds to avoid a free-kick punishment. Similarly, the NFL is implementing significant rule changes for the 2024-25 season, particularly altering kickoffs to improve player safety and increase return rates. Changes in football also include the handball rule, aiming to reduce 'soft penalties' by showing leniency when the ball changes direction.