Two points for penalties and field goals, three points for conversions — rugby’s radi
Jon Geddes
The Daily Telegraph
August 13, 2014 9:12AM
THE value of penalty and field goals is set to be reduced to two points while a conversion will worth three points in the new National Rugby Championship that kicks off next week.
The change, which had to be approved by the IRB, is designed to place a greater value on try-scoring while also maintaining the penalty goal option to punish teams for offending.
That is one of several law changes expected to be signed off on by head coaches prior to the official competition launch at Coogee Oval today.
Other changes include:
* A time limit of 30 seconds to set a scrum.
* The time to kick a conversion has also been reduced from 90 to 45 seconds and will be managed by a “shot clock”.
* Quick lineout throw-ins allowed even if the ball is touched by any player or support staff as long as it is with the same ball.
* If a non-throwing team does not genuinely contest the lineout ball “the straightness of the throw is not considered.”
* Instead of the four-try point bonus point system, the winning team receive will receive a bonus point if they finish three or more tries ahead of their opponents.
The principle behind the changes was to enhance exciting play by rewarding risk.
As well they were designed to avoid complicated interpretations of the laws.
World Cup winning Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, who was on a committee who made recommendations on law changes for the competition, believes there was a real risk reducing the value of penalty goals.
“It will only encourage professional fouls,” he said.
His panel recommended really draconian measures for players who committed a deliberate offence to prevent a try.
But he backed the other changes, saying anything that speeds up the game was a good thing.
Full list of law variations and interpretation changes
Competition and law changes
- Reduce penalty goal and drop goal value to two points; and increase conversion goal value to three points
- Instead of four try bonus point system, the winning team is awarded a bonus point for finishing three or more tries ahead of their opponents
- Pre-2013 TMO protocol to be used (i.e. for try scoring and in-goal situations only)
Referee interpretation changes
- “If non-throwing team does not contest for the ball near where the ball is thrown, the referee may apply material effect and play on if the throw is not straight”.
- After time expires at half-time and full-time, if awarded a penalty kick, player can kick to touch and play the lineout
- Reduced time limits down to 45 seconds for a penalty goal and 60 seconds for a conversion
- Manage a time limit (30 seconds) to set a scrum
- Defending half-back cannot enter area (“pocket”) between flanker and number 8 at scrum
- Increased latitude in the area where quick taps can be taken at a penalty or free kick
- More focus on applying Laws once maul formed
- Quick throw-ins allowed even if touched by another player or person; must be same ball
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/tw...-1227022666947
