Slimmed-down props, "Super Time" and getting rid of meaningless kicking. Super Rugby AU has unveiled seven law variations and extra directives to referees in a bid to make the game attractive again.
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Australian players are bracing for a faster and more intense competition when the domestic season begins in July, with law changes and derbies every weekend to reinvigorate the struggling code.
ACT Brumbies and Wallabies prop Scott Sio is keen to take the first steps in the new rugby union world, even if that means front-rowers will have to be more agile around the field.
Rugby Australia has introduced seven law changes, including: goal-line dropouts when a player is held up or the defensive team grounds the ball, rewards for 50-22 or 22-50 kicks, scrapping a mark inside the 22 metre zone if the kick originates from inside the attacking 22 metres, replacing red-carded players after 20 minutes and introducing golden point "Super Time".
Referees have also been instructed to limit the number of scrum resets, police the breakdown and eliminate cynical and repeated infringements in a bid to speed up what has become a stodgy game.
"You've always got to spice it up when you're trying something new and add a bit of variety," Sio said.
"It just gives the viewership something new to watch so hopefully some more exciting footy in the attacking halves. Trying something new ... hopefully we see some skillful and exciting footy."
As for 120 kilogram props needing to change to suit the new speed? "Obviously we might have to slim down, might have to get a tad fitter and at my age we tend to go the other way," Sio grinned.
"That's where the game is going around the world. Everyone wants to speed the game up and get back to that attacking footy and have a good balance with set piece. These potential rule changes will help facilitate that."
The Brumbies will get their first look at the law changes when they play the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra on July 4, and Rebels coach Dave Wessel's stinging words will still be ringing in their ears.
The Brumbies beat the Rebels 39-26 in February, but the Melbourne side scored 26-15 in the last hour of the game. "We tried to speed up the tempo of the game as the Brumbies were slowing it down," Wessels said.
The insinuation was the Brumbies like to play slow to suit their strong scrum and lineout, while shying away from fast-paced play to give their big, powerful forwards a break.
It obviously didn't sit well with those at the Brumbies, but they'll get a chance to show how they can adapt when they play the high-octane Rebels in the season re-opener.
The Brumbies scored 31 tries in six games before Super Rugby was shutdown in May - the second highest in the competition from a blend of maul, set piece and back-line moves.
The criticism of the Brumbies over the years has been their reliance on the maul to score tries. This year they've added back-line variety and believe they've got a more rounded plan.
"The only pressure is what we put on ourselves internally," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said. "We've just got to prepare well and then turn up with a plan to play well and beat the Rebels.
"It will be a tough and intense competition ... we'll just go about our business. You want to be avoid being held up [under new rules] ... Rugby when it's played in the right spirit and with the right mindset, it's a great product. That's the key to it ... referee the laws of the game."
Teams will play five minutes of extra time if scores are level at the end of 80-minutes, with the first scorer to win the match. Australia's Super Rugby coaches and some players had input into the law changes, with McKellar presenting the options to his squad before restarting training.
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"We assembled some of the best minds in the game from a range of different roles to look at adding some new attacking dimensions to the game while at the same time sticking to some key principles to preserve the fabric of the sport," said Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson.
"The level of engagement was outstanding from the players and coaches involved in the process and we ended up with a set of law variations that were unanimously agreed upon by all 24 people involved.
"We will also zero in on the application of law around the breakdown and scrums, trying to limit some of the down time and improve the flow of the game.
"Throughout the process we stuck to the principle that whatever we changed, the game still had to be rugby, and nothing could compromise the Wallabies' preparation for Test rugby. In fact, I believe the changes we have implemented will broaden and enhance the capabilities of our players."