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Attacking rugby is set to be the flavour of the revamped National Rugby Championship, with changes to the rules rewarding teams that choose to attack.
“While maintaining the integrity of the game, we want to see a more creative style of rugby being played where risk and attack are rewarded,” ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said.
Among the experimental changes to the scoring system, only two points will be rewarded for a penalty goal and field goal. Tries will remain the standard five points, but conversions will now be worth three.
“So you’d like to think instead of key times in a game people kicking for goal, they’d kick for touch and play on,” Pulver said.
Other changes include:
Scrums: Forwards will get just 30 seconds to set a scrum, barring legitimate injuries, with it able to be moved if the injury is only minor. The defending scrum half will also not be allowed to follow the ball in between the flanker and number 8.
Mauls: Referees will try to stop the ‘hold up tackle’ by making sure that defenders who hold a ball carrier up don’t immediately collapse a maul to force a turnover.
Time: The referees will decide when penalties have been awarded during stoppage time, allowing teams to kick for touch before time expires.
Bonus points: Teams will no longer be awarded a bonus point for scoring four tries in a game, with the bonus point now awarded to the team who wins by three or more tries.
The changes come after more than 600 suggestions were put forward to the ARU. The ARU should be applauded for listening to disgruntled fans and trying to promote running rugby. The rule changes should be welcome relief for frustrated fans of the game.
Pulver is hoping to bring in global change with the rule changes.
The NRC kicks off next Thursday when Brisbane City takes on the Sydney Stars in a classic Queensland-NSW clash at Ballymore in Brisbane.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.