Hawke's Bay club and school rugby organisers are hoping a crackdown on mouthguard use has had the desired effect, with few player suspensions reported since the foot went down a fortnight ago.
A nationwide leader among provincial unions in rugby's introduction of steps aimed at preventing concussion, the union invoked zero-tolerance enforcement after club delegates unanimously called for the step at a regular mid-season meeting on June 20.
It backs referees who had expressed concern about the numbers of players not using the mouthguards aimed at protecting not only their teeth and jaws but also designed to minimise concussion-causing jarring in head-knocks.
The concerns had been arisen despite the outlining of "the mouthguard rule" at the start of the season, with some referees saying they'd be ruining or be accused of ruining games because of the need for multiple banishments.
Teams and players were given one more week to get their acts together following the meeting, and referees are now expected to conduct mouthguard checks before each game and monitor player use throughout.
Those without mouthguards are not allowed to play, and players with mouthguards but not using them can be issued the yellow card for 10 minutes' temporary suspension. Clubs were also asked to ensure referees were not abused for making the call.
Long-serving club rugby administrator and full-time HBRU club rugby development officer Gary Macdonald said there had been no sudden increase in the numbers of yellow cards over the last fortnight so it appeared clubs, teams and players were heeding the warning. The cards are also used for other infringements.
Professional players, in national provincial competitions, Super Rugby and internationals, are required to use mouthguards under the terms of their collective employment contracts, but Macdonald says little or nothing is being done to enforce that use at the top levels.