Democratic Laws in Aus
The last IRB (now World Rugby) law changes were made after universal inclusivity. The proposed changes were broadcast abroad and tested in many countries with input from coaches, players, referees and administrators. Never have laws be made with as much input. The result has apparently been unsatisfactory as there have been many calls for all sorts of changes, and in fact variations, apart from natural occurrences, have been taking place, as in the Varsity Cup in South Africa.
In Australia, the public were allowed to vote, the Australian Rugby assessed the result of over six thousand votes, took the advice of the Players Association and consulted a panel of 'experts – Bob Dwyer, a coach, Wayne Erickson, a former referee, Rod Kafer, a former player, and Ewen McKenzie a coach.
Variations have been approved by World Rugby to be used in the National Rugby Championship and referee 'interpretations' – frightening word – are to be adapted/slanted so as to 'maintain the fabric of the game and enhance exciting play, reward risk, and reduce complication in the game".
1. The points system is changed and is in line with the Varsity Cup: five points for a try, three points for a conversion and two points for a penalty goal or a drop goal, making a try worth potentially four times the value of a penalty goal.
2. Throwing in to line-outs
a. Play will continue if there is no contest for a the ball at a skew throw-in beyond the first two players on the thrower's side in the line-out.
b. Play will continue if a penalty is kicked into touch even if time is expired.
3. Quick throw-ins
The quick throw-in is allowed even if the ball has been played by a player or players who do not throw the ball in, provided that the same ball is used and the line-out has not been formed.
If the ball touches replacement players or support staff, a quick throw-in is allowed provided that their intervention is not deliberate. If it is deliberate, a penalty kick is awarded 15 metres in from touch.
4. Time
The time allowed for conversions to be reduced from 90 seconds to 60 seconds, time to start when the try is scored.
The time allowed for penalty kicks at goal to be reduced from 60 seconds to 45 seconds, time to start when the kicking tee arrives.
There is to be a time limit of 30 seconds to set and feed the scrum, time to start when the referee makes the mark. (The scrum may be moved away from a minor injury.)
5. Scrum 'interpretations'
If the scrum feed is not straight play will; proceed if the opposing team does not attempt to hook the ball. But there must be the opportunity to contest the scrum feed.
The scrumhalf of the team not winning the ball may not enter the space between the flank and the No.8.
The scrumhalf of the team not winning the ball may not make contact with the opposing forwards in the scrum.
6. Bonus points
The French system is used for try bonus points. The team scoring three or more tries more than the opponents will get a try bonus point.
7. TMO
The TMO is to be used only for try-scoring and in-goal decisions.
