Rugby Australia has today confirmed the law variations that will be applied for the upcoming Super Rugby AU season.
Many of the innovative changes that were implemented last year will be carried over, including the goal line drop-out, replacements for red-carded players after 20 minutes, as well as rewards for 50/22 and 22/50 kicks.
The 2021 Super Rugby AU season will see two further innovative law changes introduced, including the kickoff and restart variations seen in Rugby Sevens. For this season, a free kick will be awarded following any infringement off the kickoff 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 tap from halfway. This law has been introduced to quicken up general game play and reduce unnecessary scrums.
A law introduced last year has also been tweaked for season 2021, with a drawn match now to be decided by ‘Golden Try’ in extra time. The first try scored in the 10-minute extra time (2 x 5 minute halves) will win the match for that team. If no try is scored in Super Time, the match remains a draw while no penalties or drop goals can be taken in Super Time. This update is to encourage attacking play in the extra time period.
Match officials have also been briefed to police the breakdown, including the ruck speed whereby players must play the ball within the five seconds of it being made available. Referees are also encouraged to limit the number of scrum resets while urged to penalise cynical and repeated infringements to speed up play. Coaches and players have also been reminded of their part to play in ensuring the successful implementation of the law variations.
The law variations were developed and agreed by players, referee coaches as well as Wallabies and Super Rugby coaches after being administered by Rugby Australia Director of Rugby Scott Johnson.
The agreed variations were then proposed to World Rugby and were endorsed. Rugby Australia have also briefed domestic broadcasters.
Rugby Australia Director of Rugby Scott Johnson said: “I want to thank all involved in this process – these variations have the capacity to enhance the capabilities of our players, and the general entertainment value in the game as well.
“There were some terrific, robust discussions that were had, and some great left-field ideas proposed, but we believe we have struck a great balance in preserving the integrity of the competition, developing our players for the Test arena later this year and enhancing the spectacle of the game.
“The variations were all unanimously agreed, and everyone also indicated a desire for referees to ‘speed up the game’ with a general reduction in scrum resets, and a greater onus on the attacking team to use the ball from a ruck when available,” Johnson said.
The 2021 Super Rugby AU season will officially kick-off on Friday 19 February with the blockbuster doubleheader when the Queensland Reds host the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium before the Brumbies travel west to play the Western Force at HBF Park.
