As another ITM Cup rolls around, the focus is on trying to create a cleaner and tidier game, although the proof of the proposed changes remains to be seen.
The ITM Cup was launched yesterday in Auckland and the first game - Taranaki against Counties-Manukau - is just over a week away, as Canterbury looks to defend its premiership title.
Following a review of last year's competition, feedback from coaches and this year's Super rugby competition, the national union is rolling out a few changes to interpretations of the laws to keep the game flowing and lessen dead time during a game.
Referees will be focused on game fundamentals, positive set pieces, the breakdown, space and good management and communication.
The fundamentals include the ball being fed straight into the scrum and lineout, and players being behind at kick-offs.
At the set piece, scrums will be set up within 30 seconds, the scrum must be stable when the ball is fed and teams must push forward before attempting to wheel the scrum.
At the breakdown, cleaning out players beyond the breakdown is not acceptable and a contest at the tackle is encouraged by players being on their feet.
In a major change, the ball will be deemed out of the ruck when the halfback lifts the ball, not when he touches it.
Extra vigilance will be on backlines to stay onside from both scrums and lineouts.
Captains of sides are expected to be the main communicators with referees and cynical infringements will be dealt with quickly and decisively.
Coaches and referees will be able to discuss issues both before and after games.
NZRU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen said the ITM Cup held an important place in the rugby landscape and was an important springboard for emerging talent.
He hoped the new interpretations brought a better game which would be good to watch.
''What we're hoping to achieve is a tidier game, with quicker quality ball, cleaner contests at the breakdown, to provide better space for the attacking team, and to keep communication between teams and the referee open,'' Sorensen said.
