This one, though, should be launched to few complaints when the season proper starts at the end of next week.
Super Rugby officials have moved to confirm a law innovation designed to discourage territorial kicking duels and get teams running the ball back more often.
The existing law means players in front of a kicker can be put onside as soon as the kick receiver has either passed the ball or run 5m with it.
It has led to teams exploiting the loophole - two big boots relentlessly playing kick tennis, hoping the other will make a move, while a bunch of players stand like robots in the middle of the park. Yes, great entertainment for the fans.
The Super Rugby tweak, sanctioned by World Rugby as a trial, will bin the clauses.
It means defenders will stay offside until they have been put onside by either the kicker or a team-mate who has come from behind the kicker.
Super Rugby Pacific chairman Kevin Malloy said the change was a direct response to feedback from fans, coaches and players that they wanted to see running rugby.
"We want to create a game that’s exciting for our fans and enjoyable for our players," Malloy said.
‘‘Part of that is seeing our players running the ball rather than trading multiple kicks in a battle for territory.
"Fans have been vocal in recent times about teams exploiting a loophole that’s seen large number of players standing still while kicks go over their heads in what some people have called kick tennis.
‘‘We don’t believe that’s the spectacle our fans want to see in Super Rugby Pacific. We want to open up the opportunity for teams to counterattack with the ball in hand and we’re confident this tweak to the law will encourage that trend and encourage exciting, attacking rugby.”
Super Rugby had benefited from recent law tweaks that led to less dead time, fewer TMO interventions and quicker restarts, Malloy said.
"We were really happy with the spectacle last year and hence we have only made one tweak to the laws for 2024".
