New rugby laws aimed at keeping the game invigorated will be implemented in this year's ITM Cup, Heartland Championship and national women's competition as part of a global trial of new IRB laws.
The introduction of eight new laws for New Zealand's domestic competitions was announced at the official launch of the ITM Cup in Auckland today.
The laws - part of a suite of laws being trialled around the world - include a five-second time limit on playing the ball once it is available at the back of a ruck, a time limit on when conversion kicks must be completed after a try is scored, the positioning of a quick throw-in, expanding the short arm penalty options for teams benefitting from a knock-on or throw forward into touch and teams awarded a penalty or free kick at a line-out may choose another line-out without first having to kick for touch.
The changes also include a new scrum engagement call which will see referees call "crouch, touch, set".
The laws, effective from today, will get their first real test when the ITM Cup kicks off on Thursday, August 23, Hawke's Bay host Auckland at Napier's McLean Park.
This year's 15-round ITM Cup runs over 10 weeks including seven mid-week rounds.
Having locked away the Ranfurly Shield for the summer, and fended off pre-season challenges from Heartland teams King Country and Wanganui, Taranaki will look to ward off the season's first challenge from Tasman in round three on September 7.
The competition retains the premiership (top seven teams) and championship (bottom seven) format with teams playing every other province within their premiership/championship as well as four "crossover" matches for full competition points.
The premiership and championship semifinals are scheduled for October 19 and 20, with the finals to be played on October 26 and 27.
The women's competition final will be played as a curtain raiser to the premiership final.
