Seven-point tries will be on offer when the Western Force make their long-awaited return against the Fiji Warriors at nib Stadium on Friday night.
A series of rule changes have been introduced for Andrew Forrest’s World Series Rugby in a bid to speed up the game and make it more exciting.
One of the rules will result in teams being awarded seven points for a try that begins inside their defensive 22m zone.
To be awarded the “Power Try”, there must be no break in continuity of possession, meaning the attacking team can’t commit a penalty or turn the ball over.
Another rule change will allow teams to take a lineout as quickly as they want – even if the other team isn’t ready.
A one-minute limit will be placed on scrums, while teams are allowed to make 12 substitutions throughout the match, up from the traditional eight.
Forrest is still waiting on World Rugby to tick off the seven-point try, but Force legend Matt Hodgson is confident it will be rubber stamped before Friday’s game.
Hodgson is now the head of elite performance at the Force, and he hopes the new rule changes will filter through to rugby competitions all over the world.
“We want to challenge the way rugby’s going, and make it faster,” Hodgson said.
“And we want to make it more enjoyable from a player and fan point of view.
“Today if you watch the game, people almost hit robot mode.
“They get stuck in their 22, set piece, pass it, then the five-eighth or fullback kicks it out.
“And even defences now set four back knowing teams aren’t going to run. So now we’re manipulating both the attack and defence.”
Increasing the number of points for tries has also been trialled in South Africa’s Varsity Cup, which pits universities against each other.
But World Series Rugby represents an even bigger shake-up to the game, with Hodgson saying the competition will trial any rule changes that World Rugby want to experiment with.
The Force were axed from Super Rugby at the end of last season, but billionaire mining magnate Forrest has revived the franchise and wants to create a separate competition taking in teams from Asia.
Forrest hopes that competition will be up and going by next year.
In the meantime, the Force are scheduled to play against seven invitational sides in Perth this year.
It all begins on Friday night against Fiji Warriors, before the Force take on Tonga next week.
Marcel Brache, Peter Grant, Ian Prior, Brynard Stander and Chris Alcock are among eight former Force players who have been named in Friday’s 23-man squad.
FORCE SQUAD: Peter Grant, Rod Davies, Marcel Brache, Rodney Iona, Brad Lacey, Andrew Deegan, Ian Prior (capt), Brynard Stander, Chris Alcock, Tevin Ferris, Johan Bardoul, Fergus Lee-Warner, Chris Heiberg, Heath Tessmann (vc), Harry Lloyd. Res: Alifeleti Kaitu’u, Tom Sheminant, Kieran Longbottom, Leon Power, Harrison Orr, Ryan Louwrens, AJ Alatimu, Clay Uyen.
Hmmm
Guest
Why didn't all these fans show up a couple of years ago and stop the Force from going bankrupt in the first place?
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
+1000
Bakkies
Guest
Tsuru yeah he is.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The Force V Fiji game is officially a sell out https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/991917951061118976?s=12
piru
Roar Rookie
At least the scrums would be a proper contest
Paul D
Roar Rookie
If Ref's were ex props, they'd need an umpires chair at halfway, binoculars and a megaphone.
piru
Roar Rookie
I read that as the collapse itself is the penalty, not the 'not straight, boring in blah blah' all judged by a ref who's never packed down in his life
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Tomorrow's Force V Fiji match looks like it will sell out. The last 500 tickets went on sale this morning. Watch it live at 6:30 WST (8:30 Eastern) on Fox 507.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
That's the purpose of a trial rule and is why World Rugby is backing it, to see how it works.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If you can Yellow Card, then you haven't removed scrum penalties.
piru
Roar Rookie
Not really as mentioned above the lights on the posts will indicate whether a PT is on or not. The only TMO involvement would be the same as we have now for groundings etc
piru
Roar Rookie
That's actually not so radical when you think about it IB - I'd be interested to see how that would go!
Ken Catchpole’s Other Leg
Guest
Happy for you and all other FFans, Piru. May the proverbial be with you ?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Those ticket prices are completely incorrect from Barry Crocker. Junior GA is $6 for children. $15 for adults. Silver is $15/$41. Gold is $20/54. Platinum is $29/$76. So no. Completely off. Unless he thinks the stadium will be only unaccompanied minors. Also Timbo, I could be wrong but I don't think the Rebels have to worry about "RA's sticky fingers in the gate takings". I believe all gate revenue goes to the SR team.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Probably not because what may work in an exhibition match, may not in a competition format.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Can we settle on "constantly opportunistically"?
robel
Roar Pro
Just printed my tickets and looking forward to the game on Friday.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I knew Longbottom was playing in England (impressively). Is he back in Oz permanently?
mothy
Guest
All good news this week! I’ll be at the Game ?it seems Toyota have jumped on board. Crowd numbers sound like they are going to be healthy. Good news for Rebs to with new sponsor and they should get a good crowd playing the crusaders. They may even be half a chance with Genia and all those ex-Force players. We always seemed to step up a gear when playing the crusaders - Rebs may do the same! Overall though just stoked to be going to the rugby.
Force4Good
Roar Rookie
We’re just so excited about this game, will be awesome to pull our jerseys back on again. Will also be quite emotional I’d say. Will be great also to send our message loud and clear to RA who thought we’d go quietly away :) There won’t be anything quiet at NIB stadium on Friday we can assure Clyne of that... Go Twiggy!!!