Rugby: Locals to test new breakdown rules

Players will have to adapt to new laws around the breakdown and tackle areas.

Spectators at Northland's Bayleys Southern Districts, Bay of Islands, and Mangonui premier competitions can expect a few changes as matches get underway this season.

However, Northland Rugby Union officials say they shouldn't be alarmed.

Changes at the breakdown will take some getting used to.

Incorporating several new Mitre 10 Cup playing laws into the competitions from round one, the new laws will be foreign to most punters, especially those who have been following Super Rugby.

"If you're going to Bayleys club rugby this weekend, there are new trial laws at the breakdown," Northland Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said.

"So take a breath before you start getting stuck into the ref," he added as a message to match-goers.

Adopting the new Mitre 10 Cup rules to their premier competitions - along with North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, Tasman, Waikato, Taranaki, Otago, Southland - the key areas of change for the Northland competitions are part of a World Rugby and NZ Rugby fed initiative, and involve changes to the breakdown and tackle areas.

While it may take some getting used to for players, referees, and spectators alike, NRU operations manager Kyal Collins said the long term benefits will be evident.

"The flow on effect is we've only got half of our Northland squad selected, so the other half is coming from club rugby, hence why we feel that they need to be playing these rules so they're potentially ahead of the other provincial unions.

"One of the things Richie [Taniwha head coach Richie Harris] identified is that we've got [Auckland and Canterbury] in the first weeks of Mitre 10 Cup, so that could give us an edge if our players have had it for the season."

The opening rounds kick-off this Saturday in the form of the Bayleys Southern Districts Premiers, Premier Reserve, and Division 1 competitions.