Teams must go hard, go early
New Zealand’s loyal rugby supporters deserve this.
While there’s been economic pain at NZ Rugby, with half the staff losing their jobs because of the financial damage caused by Covid-19, the creation of Super Rugby Aotearoa should provide much-needed coin for its depleted bank accounts and also lift the morale of fans of the oval-ball code.
While the bureaucrats humming in the Beehive in Wellington have had rose-petals tipped on them by their shiny-eyed supporters, it’s the ordinary Kiwis who made the sacrifices during lockdown, and got us to alert level 1.
That’s why rugby has been able to push the ignite button, and invite the public into the grounds.
The economy may have been carpet-bombed and we’re all going to pay a heavy price for years to come but, for now, let’s enjoy the return of our own unique brand of Super Rugby over the next 10 weekends.
That’s what makes sport so great. It helps bring everyone together when times are tough.
1. What’s changed?
A lot. With the original 15-team Super Rugby competition a goner, the new Super Rugby Aotearoa tournament caters for five New Zealand teams only. That’s two games played each weekend.
The winner will be declared after the final round on August 15-16. There will be no playoffs. Go early and go hard will be the message for all teams.
2. What new laws have been unveiled?
The introduction of the golden-point rule and the watering down of the red-card sanction are significant.
If a match is tied after 80 minutes of regular time, the result will be decided by golden point. The first team to score – by try, penalty kick or drop goal – during a 10-minute period of extra time will be declared the winner.
A red-carded player can be replaced 20 minutes after he has been sent from the field. He can’t return, and will face Sanzaar’s existing judicial process.
NZ Rugby says red cards can sometimes have too much of an effect on a match and ‘‘fans, players and coaches want to see a fair contest’’.
But the on-field sanction for a blatant act of thuggery has also been diminished. This is a worry.
3. Drop goals, anyone?
If games go into extra time, a droppie specialist will surely bury himself in the pocket and attempt to
split the devil’s horns. It’s got to be an option. Mitch Hunt, when he played for the Crusaders, famously kicked a 46m ‘‘pot goal’’ against the Highlanders during injury time in Christchurch in 2017.
Now at the Highlanders, Hunt has been shifted from No 10 to fullback for the match against the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday night.
4. Solving the riddle of the ruck.
There’s no rule changes at the breakdowns, but NZR says the existing laws will be applied more strictly to create faster attacking ball and fairer contests.
Right-oh, then. Clearly the intentions are good, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard this.
Now we wait to see whether the refs have the appetite, or bottle, to play the role of the bad cop and issue yellow cards if the penalty count soars.
5. Afternoon rugby on Sundays.
The 3.35pm kickoff on the sabbath is a victory for the rugby public.
The more NZR can do to promote day-time games, the better.
In addition to encouraging attractive footy, the earlier starts are great for families. NZR must do everything possible to win back the fans.
Alas the Saturday slot has been shifted back two hours to 7.05pm. NZR says this is to accommodate club sport, and it obviously also works well for the broadcasters selling product to the northern markets.
Unless you’re under the roof in Dunedin, be prepared to watch Saturday matches played with a dewy ball and in cold temperatures.
Not ideal.