Rugby Australia kicks off their fight for survival when the Reds host the Waratahs in 15-man action today (11.05am).
The union code has been struggling for popularity against their league counterparts in recent years and with the Wallabies also sukkelling at international level, they needed to come up with ideas to make the sport more appealing in Australia.
Cue Super Rugby AU, which will see some rule adjustments to normal rugby union.
Bridging the gap between the codes, the Aussies decided to award a “goal-line drop-out when an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on”.
BRUMBY: Tevita Kuridrani
Furthermore, “a kick taken from within the defending team’s 50m area that travels into touch within the opposition’s 22m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a lineout throw to the kicking team.”
Added to that, “a kick taken from within the defending team’s 22m area that travels into touch within the opposition’s 50m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a lineout throw to the kicking team.”
These are just some of the rule changes the Aussies will trial and will certainly make for some interesting viewing as the Reds look to upset a rebuilding Waratahs team.
In Saturday’s encounter, Tevita Kuridrani and the rest of the Brumbies tackle the Rebels.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za