Existing laws at the breakdown will be applied more strictly to create a faster game. Ball carriers will be allowed only one dynamic movement after being tackled and tacklers will be expected to roll away immediately in the direction of the sideline.
The Crusaders have a bye in week one of the new competition, and while forwards coach Jason Ryan admits they’ll get a good chance to watch how the two games are officiated this weekend, he’s been impressed with the communications from the referees over the last couple of weeks.
“The relationship the referees have put out there with all the coaches has been outstanding. It’s probably been as strong as it’s ever been. There has been clips, zoom meetings and they have been asking for feedback on what they think. There is just a real focus on a few areas, particularly the breakdown in speeding that up.
“That’s positive because we want this to be one hell of a spectacle of rugby and it’s a chance to lead the world.”
New Zealand Rugby referee Brendon Pickerill attended Crusaders training last week to officiate some units and scenario play and they have an internal hit out this weekend, which Ryan expects to get quite heated.
“We had a training yesterday which was pretty tasty, and our internal match will no doubt be pretty friendly as well.”
Ryan said Crusaders coaches have an incredibly tough job picking their locks for their opening game next weekend against the Hurricanes in the capital, with Sam Whitelock coming back into the set up.
Whitelock was originally set to miss the Super Rugby season, playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's Top League, but the Covid-19 situation forced him home. Skipper Scott Barrett and Mitchell Dunshea impressed in the opening weeks of Super Rugby before the break, while Luke Romano provided cover off the bench. Quinten Strange is also expected to feature in the early rounds, after recovering from a broken hand.
Dan Carter’s announcement last week that he’s joining the Blues as injury replacement for Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa came as no surprise for Ryan, who had already got the heads up.
“He rang me before it went out. But DC is a competitor and he’s a good mate of mine and he lives in that town and wants to take his young fellas to rugby training when he can. Even though Marco [Carter’s son] is pretty adamant he wants to wear a Crusaders jersey, so that’s a good sign.
“But good luck to him. How good is it for the game in all honesty, that he can come out and maybe get a couple of runs for them. I can see a lot of positives in it.”
The Crusaders announced the re-signing of Irish tighthead prop Oli Jager through until the end of the 2022 season. The 24 year-old has been in New Zealand for the last seven years and can’t see himself anywhere else at the moment.
“I just love the team as a whole. I love the players, it’s like one big family. Brad Mooar used to say a couple of years ago it would be like coming into Disneyland every Monday because everyone was so excited to get back into work.
“I think that culture is just so infectious and something I wanted to keep going. Of course, aspirations to keep getting into Crusaders squads and trying to make a starting role is what’s keeping me going.”
Grab your tickets HERE to the historic opening round of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa.
