Dave as long as the role of the TMO is not reduced. I prefer a fair result even if it takes a little longer.
We cant go back to the wee new zealand oaks cheating their way to victory time and again. Not that ou JW ever seemed to mind of course! 
Dave as long as the role of the TMO is not reduced. I prefer a fair result even if it takes a little longer.
We cant go back to the wee new zealand oaks cheating their way to victory time and again. Not that ou JW ever seemed to mind of course!
Agreed but these damn TMO’s need to get their decisions right
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For you Moz
Super Rugby Pacific is one step ahead of its European counterparts. In a trial approved by World Rugby, the competition organisers have closed the loophole that has led to the ‘kick tennis’ duels in the Six Nations and northern hemisphere club rugby.
Two clauses in rugby’s current offside laws state that players can be put onside by a kick receiver who runs back five metres or passes the ball, even if they are ahead of the kicker. Super Rugby Pacific officials have effectively thrown those clauses in the bin, Stuff understands.
The change should create more room for counterattackers as the defending team will all be offside until put back onside by the kicker, or kick-chasers.
In the northern hemisphere the loophole has become known the ‘Dupont Law’, after France halfback Antoine Dupont first exploited it to use Les Bleus’ long kicking game - and give their big forwards a breather.
Defending teams have used it to pack numbers in the centre of the field, shutting down space. As a result, attacking players in the backfield have also started to catch the ball and remain static, effectively stopping the game rather than take the risk of running into the wall of defenders lurking in front of them.
The absurdity of the situation was highlighted in an English club game between Bath and Gloucester in January, when the two sides kicked the ball back and forth at each other 12 times in just over a minute, with the respective packs standing like a herd of cattle in the middle of the paddock. Similar passages of play have blighted the Six Nations, and although they have only been a small part of the tests, they have created another unwanted PR issue for the sport.
Stuff understands that two New Zealand Super Rugby coaches approached New Zealand Rugby with fears that the tactic would spread to Super Rugby Pacific. Coaches across the competition were then canvassed for their opinions, and there was strong support for the closure of the loophole to enhance Super Rugby as a spectacle. World Rugby was also happy to give its blessing.
Team have been preparing for its introduction during the preseason. Highlanders defence coach Dave Dillon said the Highlanders’ attack gurus Kenny Lynn and Ben Smith were thrilled with the change. “Speaking to ‘Bender’ [Smith] and Kenny they're excited around what we can do with the [Highlanders] players,” Dillon said on Monday. “And from a defensive point of view, it just makes things a lot clearer. “It’s getting a clearer recognition of when to press and when to hold, and it’ll stop those situations that have occurred in the UK and the Six Nations.” After the Scotland-France test at the weekend, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend blasted the loophole.
“I’ve complained about this law a year ago when we played France, I think it’s a terrible part of the game, and we saw it the Bath-Gloucester [English Premiership] game, with 12 kicks in a row,” he said. “We don’t want to be a team that takes part in it.” Stuff understands that Super Rugby Pacific referees will also be encouraged to take ownership of games this season, limiting the role of the TMO. This is a continuation of last year’s approach, when Super Rugby contests - although not perfect - enjoyed more flow than the test season that followed.