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New laws suit Reds
Phil Lutton | December 10, 2007
Queensland rugby coach Phil Mooney says the revised Super 14 laws could transform the ailing Reds from wooden spooners into title threats.
The Super 14 competition will adopt a revised version of rugby's Experimental Law Variations for the coming season, with the changes aimed at speeding up the game and promoting the running rugby that has largely gone AWOL at the top level.
Some of the new laws include backlines being five metres back from the scrum, quick throw-ins can go backwards towards a team's goal line and free kicks instead of penalties for all offences other than offside and foul play.
Mooney joined rival coaches last week at the SANZAR conference and believes the changes will not only benefit frustrated fans but the Reds, who are coming off the worst season in Queensland rugby history.
Mooney, who has taken over from Eddie Jones, says the Reds squad is a good fit for the new laws and could become a "dangerous commodity" if the likes of speedster Digby Ioane take full advantage of the predicted open spaces.
"I think it will be a good fit for us. We've got Digby, Chris Latham, Clinton Schifcofske - guys of that ilk are very good from broken play and there will be more of that," Mooney said.
"Potentially we've got a very good forward pack but there's still a massive emphasis on the set piece. If we can get that up to speed, we'll be a pretty dangerous commodity I reckon."
And Mooney has forecast what will be music to the ears of Reds fans who endured last season's train wreck - a more attacking attitude that will result in more tries and fewer penalties.
"I think you'll probably see teams going out with a more attacking mindset, with a greater emphasis on keeping the ball in play and trying to score the four tries to get the bonus points.
"I think there's also a place for more attacking kicking, shorter kicking, kicking to recover the ball. That's a great skill."
While the new laws should quick the speed in which the ball is recycled, Mooney says the basics of the scrum and the line-out still remain the most crucial elements if the Reds are to get back on track.
"One of the great things about rugby is that there is a place in it for all the body types. The set piece is still immensely important, so the technical excellence from the bigger blokes in the scrum and line-out is vital," he said.
"The bigger guys that can get around the park with the ability to dominate contact and offload is a fantastic commodity. It still caters for all the body types but it will be a better spectacle because as the game progresses, those different body types come to the fore."