Super Rugby AU will join the stable of sporting fixtures returning to action on Friday.
The competition will include a host of law trials and new rules including replacing red-carded players after 20 minutes, and “Super Time” for matches that are drawn at 80 minutes.
“Super Time” will add two five-minute periods at the end of matches and the first team to score points will win the game.
Super Rugby AU fixtures will be played over ten rounds with matches every Friday and Saturday.
Finals will be over two weekends – 12 September and 19 September.
Find a full list of Super Rugby AU fixtures and kick off times here.
Super Rugby AU: Law trials
When an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on play restarts with a goal line drop-out.
Drop-out is taken anywhere on or behind the defending team’s goal line. Sanction: 5m scrum in line with the place where the kick was taken
Must be taken without delay.
Sanction: Free-kick
Must cross the goal line and travel 5m.
Sanction: The non-kicking team has the option of the kick being retaken or a 5m scrum in line with the place where the kick was taken
The defence must be back 5m
An opponent must not charge over the 5m line before the ball is kicked. Sanction: Free-kick
If the ball crosses the 5m line but the bounces back play continues
2. When a kick enters the in-goal area and is forced by the defending team play restarts with a goal line drop-out
As above
3. A kick originating in the attacking 22m area cannot be marked by the defending team within their own 22m area. The kick can however be marked within the defending team’s in-goal area and play restarts with a 22m line drop- out
To claim a mark, a player must:
Have a least one foot on or behind their own goal line when catching the ball or when landing having caught it in the air; and
Catch a ball that has reached the plane of the goal line directly from an opponent’s kick before it touches the ground or another player; and
Simultaneously call ?mark?
A player may claim a mark even if the ball hits a goal post or crossbar before being caught
When a mark is called correctly, the referee immediately stops the game and awards a 22m restart to the team in possession
Any player may take the 22m restart
4. Red card
A red carded player can be replaced after 20 minutes
If all substitutions have been used the Red Carded player cannot be replaced
5. 50/22
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
Criteria
The defending team did not take the ball into their own 50m area; or
A tackle, ruck or maul takes places within the 50m area; or
An opponent touched the ball within the 50m area
Clarifications
The above does not apply if a player kicks the ball from a free-kick awarded in the 50m area
The 50m area includes the defending team’s in-goal area
6. 22/50
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
Criteria
The defending team did not take the ball into their own 22m area; or
A tackle, ruck or maul takes places within the 22m area; or
An opponent touched the ball within the 22m area
Clarifications
The above does not apply if a player kicks the ball from a free-kick awarded in the 22m
The 22m area includes the defending team’s in-goal area
7. Super Time
(2 x 5min periods of extra time) in the event of a drawn game after regulation time where the first points scored wins the match for the scoring team
First points scored in Super Time wins match
No conversions of tries
Losing team receives bonus point for being within 7 points
Team that kicks off match kicks off first period of Super Time