Rugby: NZRFU introduces no mouthguard, no play rule

New Zealand domestic rugby players caught playing without a mouthguard will be sent from the field, under a new penalty aimed to improve player safety.

The New Zealand Rugby Union Board (NZRU) has approved an amendment to its domestic safety law which will give referees the power to enforce the compulsory mouthguard regulations.

research showed mouthguards reduced the likelihood of damage to teeth and the jaw.

He said that since mouthguards were made compulsory in New Zealand domestic rugby in 1998, there had been a 40 per cent reduction in rugby-related ACC dental injury entitlement claims (continue reading…)

Source: Rugby: NZRFU introduces no mouthguard, no play rule – NZ Herald