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'Listened to our fans': Law variations confirmed for Super Rugby Pacific
By Finn Morton
Ahead of the new season, Super Rugby Pacific have confirmed some new law innovations that aim to make the competition the “fastest professional” league “in the world.”
Super Rugby Pacific is set to get underway in just under two weeks’ time, with a New Zealand derby blockbuster between the champion Crusaders and Chiefs getting things underway.
But the competition will look a bit different this season, with a number of law variations having been announced on Tuesday.
The rugby lawbook is set for a radical shakeup with the pace of the game set to be prioritised and enforced like never before.
Among the new law variations, time limits will be enforced for shots at goal, lineouts, scrums and rucks.
“We want Super Rugby Pacific to be the most entertaining, innovative and fastest professional rugby competition in the world,” Tournament Director Matt Barlow said in a statement.
“We’ve listened to our fans and taken steps to reduce stoppages and video replays, increase flow and maintain the integrity of the competition and the safety of players in regard to yellow and red cards.
“Players, coaches and referees are excited about these innovations, and we believe they will create a better fan experience both at game and for those watching on television.”
The TMO will have less of a say this season, as they’ll be allowed to “interrupt” play whenever serious, clear and obvious incidents of foul play are missed by the on-field referees.
Referees will also be able to call on the TMO when reviewing a potential yellow card decision.
The decision to award a yellow card can also be reviewed by the TMO for up to eight-minutes, which may see the sanction upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
But that’s not. In fact, the final law change is probably the most radical of them all.
While the rugby world has become quite used to 20-minute red cards over the past few seasons, players can receive a “full red card” once again.
In instances of deliberate foul play, players can be sent from the field, and will not be able to be placed after 20-minutes.
“The review process for dangerous play will be as vigorous as ever and we believe TMOs will be able to make better judgements about the seriousness of foul play offences without the pressure of having to watch replays under stressful time constraints,” he added.
“There is also the addition of a stronger deterrent for deliberate foul play with the referee having the option of issuing a full red card.
“We know players and fans don’t want to watch multiple frame-by-frame replays while they wait for the match to resume, so we believe we’ve struck the right balance.
“TMOs will still be reviewing the two phases before a try is scored and can still be called upon by the referee to check things like the ball being grounded when a try has been scored.
“The difference will be the Match Official Team will lead the process and viewers will not see as many replays.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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