Some Heartland Championship player is going to have the privilege of being the first player to score a six-point try in New Zealand.
New Zealand Rugby announced yesterday it will be using two of the new laws being trialled by World Rugby in its domestic competition.
The trials are part of a cyclical law review undertaken every four years by World Rugby.
The trials were initially set to include two referees and a deeper advantage line in the Mitre 10 Cup but have now been watered down.
In the Mitre 10 Cup - the new name for the provincial domestic competition - the only new laws will be around the breakdown.
These are being used in club rugby in Dunedin and, after two rounds, appear to be working with a minimum of fuss.
The tackler must release the ball carrier then rejoin the tackle behind the midpoint to play the ball. The first arriving defender may play the ball as long as they are on their feet, and it is prior to the breakdown being formed.
Points changes will be trialled in the Heartland Championship and will result in eight points awarded for a penalty try, so no conversion will be taken.
Six points will be awarded for a try and two points for a penalty, a conversion and a dropped goal.
There had been a suggestion the new points system be used in the Mitre 10 Cup but that has been dropped.
Also not being used is the proposal of defenders going 1m back behind the last most feet from a breakdown.
There were concerns around safety issues with the 1m deeper defensive line.
Players would be flying up both from the deeper defensive line and at the line. How it would work when attacking teams were right on the opposition tryline was also another issue.
The proposal to have two referees was also dropped after concern over how many penalties may be awarded and whether the game really needed two referees.
The role of the assistant referee on the sidelines may be increased.
