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YEAR IN REVIEW 2015 WORLD RUGBY 89The importance of discipline as one of World Rugby’s values was strongly reflected in
various successful programmes undertaken by the federation throughout the year. BELOW LEFTA view of the citing system developed by Hawk-Eye Innovations for RWC 2015DISCIPLINARY PROCESS IN 2015EDUCATIONWorld Rugby continued its excellent education programmes for players and game administrators throughout 2015. Two successful disciplinary workshops were held in Las Vegas and Brazil, which involved education for Judicial Officers and Citing Commissioners in North and South America. An intensive workshop was also held in London in April in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015 for disciplinary personnel who were being considered for appointment. World Rugby also continued to deliver player-focused education in relation to discipline at World Rugby’s U20 Trophy and Championship, which achieved the aim of ensuring that players understand the disciplinary processes and consequences of foul play. TECHNOLOGYCutting-edge technology was employed during Rugby World Cup 2015 to support the disciplinary process. Using a Smart Replay system developed by Hawk-Eye Innovations, World Rugby optimised the quantity and quality of footage available to Citing Commissioners and Judicial Officers. Extensive testing of the system, which began in 2014, was finalised in advance of RWC 2015 and Citing Commissioners and Judicial Officers received training DISCIPLINARY PROCESS AT RWC 201510 Citing Commissioner Warnings25 disciplinary hearings18 citings5 appeal hearings1 red card1 accumulation caseon how best to utilise the system. The technology allowed Citing Commissioners to view every possible camera angle of each incident, including using split-screen and zoom modes to ensure that every incident received a full review. The technology was also used successfully at disciplinary hearings to ensure that the Judicial Officers and players had the benefit of the very best available footage of each incident. The footage available was similar to that used to great effect by the Television Match Official (TMO). RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015RWC 2015 Judicial and Appeal Officers heard a total of 25 disciplinary hearings over the course of the tournament. This number was made up of hearings arising out of 18 citings, one red card and one accumulation case (where a player accumulates three yellow cards/Citing Commissioner Warnings during the tournament) together with five appeal hearings. In addition to these, 10 Citing Commissioner Warnings were issued during the tournament. The vast majority of the sanctions applied by Judicial Officers were in the ‘low-end’ entry point range for the offence, which is the least serious category of offending set out in the World Rugby sanction table. INTEGRITY | RUGBY BUILDS CHARACTER