Refs to trial report system

Wellington - Referees in this season's Super Rugby tournament and southern hemisphere Test championship will have powers to put players "on report" for suspected foul play under a system being trialed in rugby union for the first time.

The International Rugby Board will monitor the trial of the system, adopted from rugby league, which aims to make the referees' job easier and achieve more consistent penalties in judicial hearings.

Under the system referees will be able to place a player on report when they suspect but aren't certain an offense has been committed. Referees will still be able to issue yellow and red cards in clear cases of foul play.

A player placed on the report will face a judicial hearing that will determine whether foul play occurred.