'Captain's challenge' among the latest law innovations adopted by Super Rugby
Two exciting new innovations – the goal-line drop-out and captain’s referral – will be introduced for Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa while the golden point law variation introduced last year in Super Rugby AU has been tweaked for the 2021 season.
SANZAAR confirmed the addition of new law variations for the tournaments that kick-off in the next few weeks, law variations that are designed to speed up play, increase ball-in-play time and improve the spectacle for the fans.
In New Zealand, Super Rugby Aotearoa will see the introduction of a goal-line drop-out for balls enforced in goal. When an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on, play restarts with a goal-line drop-out.
When a kick enters the in-goal area and is forced by the defending team play also restarts with a goal-line drop-out. The tournament will again include extra-time if the scores are level (there were no drawn matches in 2020) – but unlike Australia, if a match is drawn at full-time a single ten-minute period will be played with the first points scored ensuring the win.
The major innovation in Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa is the global debut of a captain’s referral in rugby. This law variant has been introduced in several sports and New Zealand Rugby will trial it in rugby with each team given one referral which can be activated in one of three scenarios: any decision in the last five minutes of the game, an infringement in the build-up to a try or foul play.
LATEST: SANZAAR confirms rollout of existing and additional law variations for Super Rugby AU & Aotearoa tournaments that kick-off in the next few weeks – designed to speed up play and increase ball-in-play time.
Details https://t.co/Hm9jEwH1zT#SuperRugbyAU#superrugbyaotearoa pic.twitter.com/lJYyb9ylh5— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) February 9, 2021
Super Rugby AU 2021 will see two further innovative law changes introduced, including the kick-off and restart variations seen in Rugby 7s. For this season, a free kick will be awarded following any infringement off the kick-off and restart.
This includes an enforced 30-second time limit for restarts to happen following a conversion, penalty or drop goal as well as restarts that are kicked out on the full or if teammates of the kicker are not behind the ball. The team that was set to receive the ball will get a free kick on halfway. This law has been introduced to quicken up general play and reduce unnecessary scrums.
In addition, the golden point law variation introduced last year has been tweaked for season 2021. A drawn match now to be decided by golden try in extra time. The first try scored in the ten-minute extra time (2×5-minute halves) will win the match for that team.
If a penalty or drop goal is successful within this extra time the points count towards the match score, but the game will continue until either a try is scored, or the ten-minute period expires. This update is to encourage attacking play in the extra time period.
SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris stated, “Super Rugby has always prided itself on being an innovative rugby tournament and this will continue with Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021. With the aim to improve the game for players and spectators alike we are excited by the introduction of some fresh ideas and the continuation of the law variations that last year proved very popular.”
“We really want to see match tempo increased, fewer stoppages in play and defences manipulated with more space created for try-scoring opportunities. Particularly interesting is the ‘captain’s referral’ that has been implemented in several sports in recent times including rugby league and cricket. Now it is our chance to assess its suitability and to see if it has a place in our game.”
“We look forward to working with Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby over the coming weeks to roll out and assess all the law variations, as well as receiving feedback from fans which we believe is a critical part of the review process to assess the value of these innovations for permanent inclusion in our tournaments,” added Morris.
"Coles is one of those guys who remains deeply rooted in the real world at a time when many All Blacks carry themselves with the swagger of NBA superstars."
– Hamish Bidwell on why NZR needs to keep Dane Coles around. https://t.co/tSIGjHoN2M— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments