A golden point tiebreaker and replacing red-carded players are two innovations introduced by NZ Rugby for the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
New Zealand’s domestic Super Rugby competition will introduce a golden point tiebreaker among a handful of key law changes when the sport returns to action next week.
Super Rugby Aotearoa, comprising the five Kiwi Super Rugby franchises, will also be the first professional competition to allow players to be replaced after they’re shown a red card.
Once player is sent from the field, the affected team must wait 20 minutes before fielding a replacement. The red-carded player can’t return and will still face a judicial process.
The golden point system will mirror the NRL’s, to determine a winner if the scores are tied after 80 minutes.
The first team to score – by drop goal, penalty goal, or try – during a 10-minute period of extra time will win the game and remove the prospect of “feeling a little empty” according to New Zealand Rugby head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum.
“We’ve seen the excitement it can generate in other codes and we think adds a real edge.”
The bespoke tournament was created after Super Rugby proper was indefinitely suspended by COVID-19 and opened up the possibility of innovations.
“We want this competition to look and feel different. We’ve had great support from our coaches, players and referees to make Super Rugby Aotearoa faster, safer and more exciting than ever before,” Lendrum said.
He said the red card change was prompted by the impact a sending-off presently has on rugby, creating an imbalance and lack of spectacle, particularly if foul play happens early in a match. There is no change to the yellow card laws.
NZR has also issued a dictum that referees be more strict in policing the breakdown to create faster attacking ball and a better visual product.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Well I'll be watching :thumbup: The NZ derbies are always the best games in SR anyway :silly:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Well I knew it but now I'm not so sure. By your own definition it's the rules then coz many of them get broken :silly:
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Great points
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hopefully Jacinda will bring the country down to Level 1 for the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa, but better still, will it be shown here, live in Australia. Could anyone advise. Please. Ka Kite Ano
Birdy
Roar Rookie
The one thing I always loved was a well executed field goal. GP ruined it as it is so predictable now in league and union will do the same.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The other factor is rugby doesn’t have as many “dead” moments as League. Which means you can play on for a win for much longer as out of play or a knock on are the only stoppages. Where as League stops first tackle after the siren.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Clearly dreamt up by my ex wife...
Targa
Roar Rookie
He is also going to be the minimum salary for this after big money in Japan
Reg Thomas
Guest
Union mirroring rugby league. Shock horror.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I like that concept, but I would push it to a try, or a four point lead, that way 2x drop goals or penalties to win. Stops the shoot out from half way, and also allows teams that can’t score a try (for what ever reason) a chance.
Targa
Roar Rookie
In other news Mr Daniel William Carter ONZM has been signed as injury cover for the Blues! Imagine if he ends up pushing Beauden Barrett back to fullback.
Sylvester
Guest
@soapit. The restarts in union are more contestable generally. Might force teams to drop out with more thought, rather than hoofing it downfield?
woodart
Guest
draws are a throwback from history. even cricket turns itself inside out to avoid them with bizarre countbacks. golden point or sudden death, (whatever the terms) are better than soccers goal shootout
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Dont believe there is a need to have golden point in a round robin fixture. For playoffs most definitely. I find it a little ironic there is trepidation about players making close contact given the COVID-19 situation and they are allowing potentially more time on the field.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well then don’t make them red card offences. Extremely simple.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think that’s in everybody’s top 3 pet peeves.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ha! My first ever article here on the ROAR was about this new change to the 'red-card' law... except my naughty time was only ten minutes, and not the twenty minutes being adopted here. My article was published back in April 2016 :shocked:
soapit
Roar Guru
That wasn't golden point
Machpants
Roar Guru
It’s because this tournament doesn’t have finals, so they want to reduce the chance of not having a winner at the end. Belt and braces approach. I like the red card idea, 20 mins at 14 men is bloody hard work
piru
Roar Rookie
Golden point sounds like the old NFL overtime rule, which was changed because whichever team ended up in possession in OT had a massive advantage. Let's see how it all goes, none of it sounds like a massive shift