Coaches welcome faster game under new laws

ATTACK STRATEGY: Northland coach Richie Harris, left, and Auckland coach Nick White, will be looking to play more expansive rugby with the introduction of the new breakdown laws and points format. PHOTO/PHOTOSPORT.NZ

New breakdown laws will make the revamped Mitre 10 Cup a faster and more attacking spectacle, according to coaches.

This year's Mitre 10 Cup is being used as a testing ground for the World Rugby trial breakdown rule changes, with the offside line now formed when a single attacking player arrives over the tackle.

This negates the need for a defensive player to form a ruck. Players joining the breakdown may also only do so from behind the offside line.

The competition, which starts on August 18, will also have a new points format.

Teams will earn six points for a try, while conversions, penalty goals and drop goals will earn two points each.

Canterbury and future Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says attacking sides will have more phases with the ball under the new rules.

This would make the defending side's job more difficult.

"The first few weeks everyone will look at everyone else closely," he said.

Taranaki boss Colin Cooper says fans and players can expect a more exciting style of rugby but warns that attacking players will need to protect the ball more closely.

Reduced injuries in the ruck would be an added benefit.

"I think it'll be clearer for the fans, clearer for the refs and more tries scored," the ex-Hurricanes coach said.

Auckland coach Nick White, whose side were runners-up to Canterbury in the 2015 competition, says his side will need to adapt quickly.

"Because there's not a lot of contesting at the breakdown, there'll be a lot of running," White said. "At times you're going to have to do a lot of defence.

Hawke's Bay coach Craig Philpott, whose side earned promotion to the Premiership, agreed.

"You're certainly not going to be able to get the ball as easily as you used to, so teams are going to have to be innovative and react."