RugbySmart is developed jointly by the New Zealand Rugby Union and ACC and includes DVDs and booklets.

RugbySmart was introduced in 2001 and since then there has been an 89% decrease in permanently disabling (paralysis) spinal injuries from scrums. Over the same period, there has also been a 56% decrease in overall spinal injuries. A paper on this was published in the British Medical Journal in 2007.

Other results have included a 43% reduction in rugby-related dental injury claims to ACC since mouthguards were made compulsory in 1997/1998 and a 15% decrease in ACC injury claims relating to neck, back, shoulder and knee injuries.

NZRU General Manager of Community and Provincial Rugby Brent Anderson said RugbySmart was an important component of the NZRU's training modules for coaches and referees at all levels of the game.

"We have had very positive feedback from coaches who have attended RugbySmart presentations in their province. We are delighted that there has been a steady decrease in the number of neck and spinal injuries resulting in paralysis. But as we have often stated, one injury is one too many and together with ACC we will continue to review and improve the programme to further lower the injury number," Anderson said.

SmartRugby is an occupational health and safety program for Australia's Rugby participants. It is a compulsory minimum requirement for every coach and referee participating in Rugby where there is a tackling component. SmartRugby is mandatory requiring qualification every two years. To be fully effective it requires ongoing commitment rather than just occasional attention.