New Zealand's provincial championship is to take the radical move of experimenting with two referees next year, according to a report as World Rugby looks at a dramatic shake-up of the game's laws.
The bold innovation of twin referees is one of a number of changes being looked at - with others focusing on the tackle and ruck areas - as rugby looks to build on its growing popularity.
A report into the recent World Cup in England found it was both the best attended in the tournament's history and drew a record 120 million viewers around the world.
The idea of two referees has been mooted for several years and has already been successfully trialled in South Africa's Varsity Cup competition.
New Zealand Rugby has not officially confirmed its role in the experiment but a spokesman indicated to AFP a statement on the issue may be issued in the near future.