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Barrister credited with reforming rugby's judicial process handed four-year extension

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Christopher Quinlan has been handed a four-year extension as the World Rugby independent judicial panel chairman for another four-year term.

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The sport’s governing body claimed that the barrister’s reforms in his initial four-year stint resulted in “consistent outcomes at World Cup 2019 and a disciplinary framework that has protected player welfare, particularly in the priority area of concussions, which were reduced by more than 30 per cent”.

Quinlan was also credited with the identification, training and appointment of ex-international players, coaches and referees for the judicial process. That personnel include Stefan Terblanche, Sarah Smith, Becky Essex, Leon Lloyd, Frank Hadden and Donal Courtney. 

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The utterly ruthless way France assistant Shaun Edwards prepares rugby teams

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The utterly ruthless way France assistant Shaun Edwards prepares rugby teams

He also oversaw the progression of female judicial chairs with Shao-Ing Wang and Pamela Woodman selected for World Cup 2019.

The World Rugby statement added: “Quinlan will continue to be responsible for the appointment, management and training of World Rugby’s judicial committees and officers for the international game and will work closely with the new director of rugby and high performance Joe Schmidt and citing commissioner manager Steve Hinds to ensure continued harmony between the on-field and off-field disciplinary processes.

“An accomplished barrister, Quinlan performed judicial panel duties at four men’s Rugby World Cups, one women’s Rugby World Cup and a host of sevens events. He also served on World Rugby’s anti-doping advisory committee and has nearly 30 years of independent criminal and sports law practice.”

Quinlan said: “I’m delighted to accept the invitation of a second term leading a very talented and diligent judicial panel. We have made solid progress over the last four years and I look forward to continuing to contribute to a disciplinary system which will deliver consistent justice, empathetic with the requirements of the modern game.”

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World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: “Christopher is greatly respected within the game and his collaborative management style has driven even greater consistency and rugby playing empathy within our disciplinary processes, including the recruitment and development of former players, coaches and referees within the international panel.

“This resulted in excellent outcomes at Rugby World Cup and at Test level where there is consistent cooperation and alignment between match official, citing and disciplinary panel decision-making.”

 

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Hellhound 34 minutes ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

NZ lost a great player there. Played brilliantly for Glasgow and against SA was the best player on the pitch. Caused the Boks some headaches. Slot him into the current AB's team, and they would be very dangerous, especially broken play.


However, the Scots isn't stupid and their recruiting from the SH countries is starting to pay off. They don't have the player pool the SH countries have, nor that of their neighbours even.


I applaud them for being so open-minded as giving those players who have loyally played their rugby in Scotland for years a chance. SA for one have such a vast pool of players that's so talented and could be world class given the smallest chance, but will never get a look in because there is just so many stars in the country.


I don't mind that Saffas play for other countries to further their own careers. Besides, it makes Scotland better and makes for one more team to step up to the big stage and make rugby more exciting than just the top 4 that usually wins.


Scotland may have lost by 17 against a rusty Bok "B" team, but that score is not a true indication of that match. The Scottish biggest mistakes was kicking at goal the entire time, instead of going for the jugular. If they tried to go for tries, they may have been stopped and the score might have been bigger, but the game was on such a knife edge, that if they did go for it, they might have scored a couple of tries or more and we very well might have seen a Scottish upset.


It was by no means a bad effort at all. Tom Jordan is one of their best new talents coming through. He should've stayed with Glasgow. What a loss for the URC Champs. Going to Loftus and getting one over the Bulls is something that not even the so called best team in club rugby could do. Leinster keeps losing at Loftus. For Glasgow to do that in a Final was phenomenal and Tom Jordan was no small part of that feat.


Rugby is truely becoming a global sport now, where the eligibility rules is making rugby a much smaller world, but a much bigger global game. The Scots is most likely the team with the most aliens in their team. They welcome players with open arms. I applaud that. They are a sleeping giant, and if they continue playing like they did against the Boks, despite the results, they will become a real threat for 2027.


I admired how they played. They impressed everyone. I say good on them. Results will come if they continue on their upward trajectory. I wish them and Tom Jordan all the luck they deserve.

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