ARU calls on Rugby fans to suggest innovative experimental laws

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If you think there are some rugby laws that need changing, here's you chance to voice your opinion to people in a position to change them. I can't wait to hear sigesige00's contributions!

http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsAr...-to-suggest-innovative-experimental-laws.aspx

Australian Rugby Union is calling on fans to think of innovative experimental laws that could be submitted for review and adopted as part of Australian Rugby’s new domestic competition, the National Rugby Championship.

From next Monday (19 May), Rugby fans will be given the opportunity to suggest experimental laws that they think should be trialled in the NRC’s inaugural year through a social media campaign.

Four of Australia’s leading Rugby minds – former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, former international Rugby referee Wayne Erickson, former Wallaby and current FOX SPORTS Rugby commentator Rod Kafer and Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie – will come together to review and shortlist fans’ suggestions, which will then be put to a public vote.

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the panel had the perfect mix of coaching, playing and refereeing experience to take on this important task.

“Collectively, these men have more than a century of professional Rugby experience.â€

“Having been involved in the game at club, Super Rugby, international and an administrative level, they all have a deep understanding of what elements are needed to create an entertaining brand of Rugby that is exciting to play, coach and most importantly watch.

“Based on the outcomes of their first panel meeting, I know they all recognise the need to maintain the fabric of the game that makes it so great – an understandably critical factor for the International Rugby Board when they review any experimental law submissions.

“I’m confident this will be reflected in the experimental laws we’ll be implementing in the National Rugby Championship.

“Already we’ve seen the impact Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has had in introducing a more creative style of running Rugby to our Test team, and this is an attitude we want to foster across all competitions in Australia.

“Similarly, World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer is a strong advocate of evolving the way Rugby is played and has a keen desire to see our players playing exciting Rugby week in, week out.

“As a former Wallaby and current Rugby commentator, Rod Kafer has an incredibly astute Rugby brain and we expect him to bring a strong analytical attitude to the table, while Wayne Erickson is regarded as one of Rugby’s greatest Test officials and, as Rugby’s first fulltime professional referee, has a wealth of knowledge to contribute to the group.â€

Mr Pulver said the social media experimental law campaign presents a terrific opportunity to look at law variations that could enhance the entertainment value of Rugby.

“Asking fans to contribute ideas on experimental laws is a great way to re-energise the passionate Rugby fan base and will ensure the NRC has the interests of Rugby supporters at its core.â€

“This is an exciting and innovative way for supporters to have their say, and I’m looking forward to seeing the suggestions as they flow in,†he said.

The social media campaign will run for three to four weeks, starting on Monday 19 May, and will be split into three phases:

1. crowd-sourcing suggestions from fans
2. shortlisting of suggestions by the panel of experts
3. public vote on the panel’s shortlist

Any proposed experimental laws must receive clearance from the International Rugby Board before they can be implemented.

The NRC will run for 11 weeks from late August to early November. It will involve nine teams – two from Queensland, four from New South Wales, and one each from the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.

The competition presents a great opportunity for Rugby fans to engage with and support a local team during the second half of the year, once the Super Rugby and State Premier Rugby competitions are completed.

It is sponsored by FOX SPORTS and Foxtel, with FOX SPORTS set to broadcast at least one live match per round plus the semi-finals and final.

Further information on the social media campaign will be available from 19 May at Facebook.com/Wallabies.

The ARU are taking a novel approach to this. I'm sure there'll be an incredible amount of guff suggested but perhaps something to benefit the game will come from it. It's a long shot but I applaud them for engaging with fans.

 

[big ginger 8]

I'd say I have a fair idea of the suggestion we'll see from Aussie fans.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'd say I have a fair idea of the suggestion we'll see from Aussie fans.

No scrums or line-outs, the ref could just bounce the ball on the ground for restarts? Oh, wait.

 

[big ginger 8]

No scrums or line-outs, the refs would just bounce the ball on the ground for restarts?

Pretty much, along with the old lower the penalty value one. It makes sense given their greater exposure to league I suppose.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Why is it always Australia that want rules changed

 

[goodNumber10]

So essentially they are going to ruin the first season of the NRC by playing ridiculous park rules rugby.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

F**k.
No one tell siegesiege07!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Join the league and we will change the face of rugby! All hail the mighty Sige!

http://www.therugbyforum.com/group.php?groupid=59

 

[Groundhog]

The League is home to TRF's intellectual elite. You've probably never heard of it

 

[ratsapprentice]

To be fair what they are suggesting isn't really all that dissimilar to what the Varsity cup does in SA - and that has been largely positive.

I just don't understand the Aussie obsession with removing the set-pieces... League already exists.

 

[jonny24]

F**k.
No one tell siegesiege07!

He's too busy writing his novel to the ARU to bother with us right now!

 

[goodNumber10]

To be fair what they are suggesting isn't really all that dissimilar to what the Varsity cup does in SA - and that has been largely positive.

I just don't understand the Aussie obsession with removing the set-pieces... League already exists.

Two reasons, they are under the illusion that ball in play ='s excitment as opposed to quality fo game, and that more ball in play time somehow leads to more attacking rugby, which they believe favours their players.

The varsity does test a few rules, but id on't recall them ever doing a public vote. Does anyone know if they have?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Here's a rule for them. Each National team that doesn't have a Justin Bieber lookalike in their squad will be deducted 21 points at the start of each match.

Just to keep it interesting

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Two reasons, they are under the illusion that ball in play ='s excitment as opposed to quality fo game, and that more ball in play time somehow leads to more attacking rugby, which they believe favours their players.

The varsity does test a few rules, but id on't recall them ever doing a public vote. Does anyone know if they have?

It was a decision by the organizers in league with the head of our referee council and SARU.

The results I'd call very much positive. The review system is incomparably better than the TMO in pro rugby. Changing of the penalty kick value to 2 points does seem to work at varsity cup level but BUT BUT, rugby at that level has always been more lively (ball-in-hand with lots of tries scored off turn-overs) and less cynical so I don't know how much one should read into that.

 

[Da Grappla]

Shorter time to shoot penalties to the posts

 

[TRF_heineken]

Kickers are only allowed to go for goal between the goal-line and the 22

 

[Da Grappla]

Kickers are only allowed to go for goal between the goal-line and the 22

Make it from the 10 line AND set the points gotten to 2 for every penalty awarded so it could be some discouragement at kicking like there's no tomorrow.

 

[RoosTah]

I just don't understand the Aussie obsession with removing the set-pieces... League already exists.

This is largely a myth to be honest. Anyone who actually lives here and knows any genuine Rugby fans would know that all that sort of talk comes from people who are exclusively League fans. However, most people are in favour of rules that encourage less kicking and more ball in hand rugby.

The thing is that a lot of people up north don't understand is that in terms of scale Union in Australia is about the size of League in England (the difference being the Wallabies are still competitive - unlike the English League team); i.e. it's incredibly niche. The game is now 4th behind Australian Football, Rugby League, and Soccer, in that order. As such a lot of the commentary on rules is from generally derisive League and AFL fans.

If I were to offer a suggestion, I'd like to see how the game would look with a shift in the way penalties are given. Automatic yellow cards for a third consecutive ruck infringement/offside play would have a positive influence in my view; it would make rucks cleaner and open up play.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Make it from the 10 line AND set the points gotten to 2 for every penalty awarded so it could be some discouragement at kicking like there's no tomorrow.

Sigesige00 mk2

 

[Shaggy]

... Reduce the points for a try to 4, no lifting in the line outs, let the scrum sort itself out, allow "actually rucking" and penalise for hands in the ruck ... oh wow ... sorry, I was having a flashback

 

[William18]

This is largely a myth to be honest. Anyone who actually lives here and knows any genuine Rugby fans would know that all that sort of talk comes from people who are exclusively League fans. However, most people are in favour of rules that encourage less kicking and more ball in hand rugby.

The thing is that a lot of people up north don't understand is that in terms of scale Union in Australia is about the size of League in England (the difference being the Wallabies are still competitive - unlike the English League team); i.e. it's incredibly niche. The game is now 4th behind Australian Football, Rugby League, and Soccer, in that order. As such a lot of the commentary on rules is from generally derisive League and AFL fans.

If I were to offer a suggestion, I'd like to see how the game would look with a shift in the way penalties are given. Automatic yellow cards for a third consecutive ruck infringement/offside play would have a positive influence in my view; it would make rucks cleaner and open up play.

I think the difference is that rugby union in Australia is able to appeal to the whole country, at least for a test match. Rugby league in England does not do that.

 

[ratsapprentice]

^ Yep.

My experience of Super Rugby commentary is what I'm basing my assertion that a lot of Aussies want to scrap the scrum in particular on.

 

[SimonG]

Why is it always Australia that want rules changed

Because Aussies demand excitement and are the only progressive folk in Union?

Campese should have a voice on this too...the great man is wasted by the Rugby fraternity.

 

[RoosTah]

I think the difference is that rugby union in Australia is able to appeal to the whole country, at least for a test match. Rugby league in England does not do that.

That's not really true... The game is still really confined mostly to Sydney and Brisbane. Outside of those heartlands it really only has a smattering of support and usually has it's games played on delayed telecast if there's the prospect it might conflict with the AFL.

^ Yep.

My experience of Super Rugby commentary is what I'm basing my assertion that a lot of Aussies want to scrap the scrum in particular on.

I'm not really sure which commentators would honestly suggest scrapping the scrum, and having watched Super Rugby since the beginning I can't ever remember it being suggested. Heck, Phil kearns is always going on about how scrums are "a thing of beauty"...

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think you're underestimating the difference in general support outside of Aussie RU and English RL heartlands.

The Wallabies managed to get 20,000 in Newcastle in pouring rain vs Scotland in 2012.

England RL manage about half that inside their "territory".

Because Aussies demand excitement and are the only progressive folk in Union?

Campese should have a voice on this too...the great man is wasted by the Rugby fraternity.

Can I ask what your motivations for posting on a RU forum are? ...because frankly you don't seem to even like the sport.

It seems strange to me that you'd spend so much time (even signing up) discussing a sport that you have, at best, a passing interest in.

 

[Da Grappla]

Sigesige00 mk2

Not even close...I want rucks, contested scrums, lineouts AND I dislike RL to the point of having trying to force myself to watch last World Cup final and not succeeding.

In addition, my field position is openside flanker. Ruck is the best place to be at

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Only change I really want is a secondary ref. In a scrum you then have a ref either side. Hopefully this well reduce the number of resets a lot and with any luck will allow proper reffing of the scrum. The majority of scrums are reset because someone is doing something wrong but not being penalised. It could also help at the breakdown having refs either side of it. The exact mechanics would need to be sorted out like are both refs equal or is there a primary ref that can overrule the secondary one? Personally I prefer that idea with the secondary ref being more like a linesman on the pitch.

People may say why do you need it when much of that is the job of a linesman and I think it wouldn't be necessary if they flagged up these things but they rarely do. It's really not that easy to see what is going on even 10m away.

 

[Josht36]

Only change I really want is a secondary ref. In a scrum you then have a ref either side. Hopefully this well reduce the number of resets a lot and with any luck will allow proper reffing of the scrum. The majority of scrums are reset because someone is doing something wrong but not being penalised. It could also help at the breakdown having refs either side of it. The exact mechanics would need to be sorted out like are both refs equal or is there a primary ref that can overrule the secondary one? Personally I prefer that idea with the secondary ref being more like a linesman on the pitch.

People may say why do you need it when much of that is the job of a linesman and I think it wouldn't be necessary if they flagged up these things but they rarely do. It's really not that easy to see what is going on even 10m away.

Could this be achieved with a fourth official coming onto the pitch just for scrums to overview the other side? I feel there would be too much disagreement/confusion if you had 2 refs on the pitch simultaneously.

 

[Deleted member 53362]

Personally I blame the PRL......

3 things we do need to sort out in our game are:

1. Scrums (still)
2. Too much TMO interference
3. ridiculously long playing season.

The scrums still need sorting because you can get a full penalty for a simple binding infringment which can cost you the game. Players like G Jenkins have made a career from hoodwinking refs into giving easily kickable penalties at scrum time and IMO scrum infindgements should be free kicks only.

TMO needs to be used as before in the awarding of the actual try not some slightly forward pass 4 phases before and foul play needs leaving to a citing officer if its not spotted in the game.

Not sure about the SH but up here players play far too much rugby.

 

[smartcooky]

Only change I really want is a secondary ref. In a scrum you then have a ref either side. Hopefully this well reduce the number of resets a lot and with any luck will allow proper reffing of the scrum. The majority of scrums are reset because someone is doing something wrong but not being penalised. It could also help at the breakdown having refs either side of it. The exact mechanics would need to be sorted out like are both refs equal or is there a primary ref that can overrule the secondary one? Personally I prefer that idea with the secondary ref being more like a linesman on the pitch.

People may say why do you need it when much of that is the job of a linesman and I think it wouldn't be necessary if they flagged up these things but they rarely do. It's really not that easy to see what is going on even 10m away.

You could make a better point of using ARs for this by bringing the nearside AR into the field of play for any scrum. If you try to get the AR 5m from the scrum, the most he would have to come infield would be about 30m for any scrum along the mid-line.

As for suggestions,


1. A Free Kick awarded anywhere on the field, when kicked into touch gets a gain in ground but the throw still goes to the opposition.

2. Add the green bit to, and remove the red bit from Law 22.8

[TEXTAREA]LAW 22.8 BALL KICKED DEAD THROUGH IN-GOAL
If a team kicks the ball through their opponents’ in-goal into touch-in-goal or on or over the
dead ball line, except by an unsuccessful place kick at goal or attempted dropped goal, the
defending team has two choices:

To have a drop-out,
or
To have a scrum at the place where the ball was kicked and they throw in.[/TEXTAREA]

The longer the distance you attempt a drop kick from, the more chance you will miss, the more risk you will end up coming back for an opposition scrum where you kicked from.

3. Pick up on the RL idea of the 40-20 kick (call it a 10-22 kick if you like). e.g. a tactical kick by Blue from inside their own 10m line that bounces into touch inside the Gold 22m line, gets Blue the throw in to the line-out. This will cause defending teams to consider having an additional defender back cover such a kick, making just a little more space in the defensive line.