Speeding up play a top priority for new-look Super Rugby Pacific competition
A bid to have fewer stoppages and create free-flowing play are high on the agenda for Super Rugby Pacific organisers.
The revelation comes off the back of a new deal between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby bosses that will see the competition remain unified until at least 2030.
A concerted effort is being orchestrated to make the franchise game more appealing to fans, crucially by speeding it up and adding drama to the mix.
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Globally, rugby has been bogged down by its own rules that have slowed matches.
A scrum packs down in Super Rugby Pacific. Dave Rowland via Getty Images
Speaking with media at the announcement of the new Super Rugby Pacific agreement, Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said fundamental laws wouldn't have to change to achieve their goals.
"When I look at innovations around the competition, it's how can we speed play up? Are there opportunities for golden points, golden tries, shot clocks being introduced? Adapting law, making sure that law that's sitting in the rule book is actually getting refereed and blown to," Marinos explained.
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"We've got a group that are busy working on it right now in terms of the shape of the game and what are those innovations. We just want to keep evolving and changing that up.
"It's not one particular thing. I think it's just having a focus and saying 'how can we present the game and make it a better spectacle than what it currently is?'"
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson (left) and Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos speak during the Super Rugby Pacific announcement in Sydney. Matt King via Getty Images
It should be noted that Super Rugby Pacific already has a 10-minute golden point period.
Marinos said time-consuming phases, such as repeated scrum collapses and scrum resets, could be a thing of the past if their plans come to fruition.
"I'll just give you an example, if you get a channel one ball and the ball is sitting at the back of a scrum and the thing goes down – play on. We don't need to reset and have a scrum again," said Marinos.
"Do we always need to go for a long arm where we could – if there's been a scrum infringement or a ruck infringement – just go to a short arm and just pick up the intensity and the pace?
"Bring that fatigue into the game that creates the space and opportunity for tries and people to really exhibit and show their talent and flair.
"It's looking at those things that are not fundamental in changing the law, really just adapting how we can improve the shape of the game."
Noah Lolesio kicks during Super Rugby Pacific. Getty
Outside of the game itself, a unified approach to the look and feel of Super Rugby Pacific is a key target.
Capitalising on the growth of social media and fantasy leagues are among the opportunities the Rugby Australia boss said were likely to come.
Ultimately, there will likely be a big drive to improve the experience for fans at venues and at home watching.
"It's just about having a consistent narrative and marketing across the competition so when people look and see and engage with the product there's a consistency in the look and feel," said Marinos.
"We're looking at fantasy leagues, looking at other unique fan engagement opportunities in and around – not only at game, but through all the social and other mediums that we've got.
"We've spoken about; is there opportunities to get some influencers from outside the sport to talk up and get to understand the fan's perspective and what other things we can do – not only the in-stadium experience, but for the broadcast experience."
The first round of next year's Super Rugby Pacific gets underway on February 24 with this year's champions the Crusaders taking on the Chiefs at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium.
That will be immediately followed by the Warratahs facing the Brumbies at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
AAMI Park hosts round two of the competition, dubbed Super Round, from March 3-5.
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