Richard Loe: Rule changes OK but could be problems

Scott Waldrom played well in Mangatainoka. Photo / Getty Images

The main point of interest for many in this year's Super 14 will be the new Sanzar rules at the breakdown.

I think these could be good but there are two potential problems - interpretations and the fact they are not binding on other international sides; so the All Blacks have to revert to the old rules when they play Northern Hemisphere sides.

That's because the IRB have decided there will be no more rules changes before the World Cup. Well, okay, but Sanzar have at least realised the game of rugby has a problem and are moving to fix it.

I have always said that, for every rule change the IRB approve, they should tear out two old ones that aren't used any more. Rugby has got so complicated that many players, fans and even referees don't understand it.

This is a step in the right direction and good on Sanzar for taking it. But there may be some teething problems. I went to the Blues-Hurricanes pre-season match in Mangatainoka but it was so wet, it was difficult to come to any conclusions.

Both No 7s, Scott Waldrom and the boy Tom Chamberlain, had good games sliding in to claim the ball but it wasn't possible to say the new rules had an effect.

The worry is the rules will be OK when they are policed by New Zealand referees controlling games involving New Zealand sides.

But what will happen when we get Australian, South African and Kiwi refs whistling games involving other teams?

I bet you if we asked refs in the three countries how to police the new laws, we'd get three different interpretations right now.

I heard the other day that the Stormers in South Africa are experimenting by clapping their hands after they make a tackle - to show the ref they are taking the required time to get to their feet and let the carrier release the ball.

It's clever, I'll say that for them, but it would look bloody silly if they did it in a game.

So it might be messy to start with but you'd have to say it'll all come out in the wash.

However, it won't be easy for the All Blacks. You'll remember the All Black coaches were caught on the hop against Italy and France in the early domestic issues - and the coaches said it was because the ELVs were in force domestically but not internationally.

I don't know that I bought that one at the time but one thing I will say - the Southern Hemisphere countries should have the courage of their convictions.

Never mind the IRB - the South should just tell the North that this is the way we are playing the internationals when their teams come down here in June and that's all there is to it.

The Southern Hemisphere is forever having to trial and test changes to the game and we get stuffed about from pillar to post while the Northern unions please themselves. I'd love to see Sanzar stand up to the IRB.

But I don't suppose they will.