Rugby: Answers sought on breakdown mess

'The breakdown is an area we are clearly focused on because there is a lack of clarity', says NZRU chief executive Steve Tew. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Finding solutions to the breakdown chaos is a global rugby priority after the World Cup.

An international group involving All Black coach Steve Hansen initially, then Dave Rennie once his Chiefs work is done, will collect and trial ideas about changes to the complex laws.

Creating space away from suffocating defences and simplifying the confusion at the breakdown have been ongoing research topics for the NZRU as they focus on the shape of rugby after the eighth global tournament finishes in October.

"The breakdown is an area we are clearly focused on because there is a lack of clarity for the fans particularly and probably the players too," said NZRU chief executive Steve Tew.

"When the whistle blows they look up to see who is being penalised, they are never quite sure who it is going to be. That is part of what we are looking at. We are not satisfied with the breakdown but satisfied it needs to remain in the game."

Rugby answered its demands of being a contest for the ball at set-piece and the breakdown and remained a game for all shapes and sizes. However, there was a growing frustration about the increased emphasis on defence.

Coaches, players, referees and people from the community game had been quizzed about ways of using the ball more on attack and reducing the defensive influence while the breakdown laws also needed remedying.

An announcement on Jerome Kaino's future will be made today with Tew's "good news" tease a sign the All Black loose-forward will continue to play his rugby in New Zealand.

The NZRU had applications from about a dozen centres who wanted to host the Lions in 2017 and that itinerary was likely to be finalised mid-year.

Many provinces were still struggling to break even or better but there had been a decrease in players' salaries and there had been no breaches of the salary cap.