New Zealand and Australia have agreed to retain replacements for red-carded players and goal-line drop-outs in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition after trialling the rule innovations in domestic seasons.
Goal-line drop-outs, replace the conventional 22 metre drop-out after an attacking player is held up or the ball is knocked on in the in-goal area.
The goal-line drop-outs, also awarded when an attacking kick is grounded by the defending team in their in-goal area, are intended to speed the game up by encouraging teams to counter-attack.
Photo: Photosport
Red-carded players will also be able to be replaced after 20 minutes, retaining the rule change introduced in New Zealand s Super Rugby Aotearoa last year.
Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter
The hosts secured a 12th Super Rugby title, a second in the domestic edition and the fifth in a row.
Winger Sevu Reece and fullback Will Jordan scored tries in the first 16 minutes but the Crusaders - reduced to 13 men in the second half - then had to rely on the boot of Richie Mo unga to keep the Chiefs at arm s length.
Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter
Damian McKenzie scored all the points for the Chiefs with a converted try and two penalties, but the fullback will rue his usual accuracy from the tee deserting him for a period around halftime when he missed three shots at goal.