A QUICK LOOK AT SUPER RUGBY AU
* Five teams, 10 weeks of home and away fixtures before a two-week finals series in September.
* New laws include goal line drop-outs to reward attacking kicks, replacements for red-carded players, extra time in drawn matches and rewards for 50/22 and 22/50 kicks.
* Officials will limit scrum resets, not tolerate repeated infringements and police the breakdown to speed up play.
BRUMBIES
Before the shutdown: The ACT-based side was second overall with a 5-1 record, including a win in Hamilton against the Chiefs and a clean sweep of their Australian rivals.
What’s new: Lock Blake Enever has been released to play in England while Ben Hyne has returned from the Sunwolves.
Player to watch: Behind a dominant pack, playmaker Noah Lolesio had tongues wagging earlier this year and has enjoyed training with former Brumbies and Wallabies No.10 Christian Lealiifano during the competition’s hiatus.
WESTERN FORCE
Before the shutdown: Axed from Super Rugby in 2017, the Force won last year’s second-tier NRC title and were the headline act of the cancelled Asian-Pacific Global Rapid Rugby competition.
What’s new: Kyle Godwin, Jono Lance and Greg Holmes have arrived to give a young side some starch and experience after flanker Chris Alcock’s retirement/
Player to watch: Former Force star Godwin is back and the midfielder is hopeful of adding to a solitary Test cap in a career dogged by untimely injuries.
MELBOURNE REBELS
Before the shutdown: Offset a shock loss to the Sunwolves by beating the Highlanders in Dunedin as part of a 3-3 start that showed promise.
What’s new: Wallabies forward Luke Jones has left for France but they are bolstered by Australian rugby sevens trio Lewis Holland, Lachie Anderson and Jeral Skelton.
Player to watch: Reece Hodge is among many capable Rebels kickers that could exploit the new rules, while Skelton has proved hard to handle on the sevens scene.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Before the shutdown: Played enterprising football and had chances to win all their games on a hellish road trip to begin the season, before it clicked in a huge comeback win against the Bulls to improve to 2-5.
What’s new: The messy exits of Izack Rodda, Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings sent shock waves through the squad, while defence coach Peter Ryan departed and Henry Speight is set to head to France. Up-and-coming playmaker Mac Grealey headlines the list of upgraded talent set to make their mark.
Player to watch: Lock Angus Blyth has surged up the charts with Hockings and Rodda’s exit, while halfback Tate McDermott was enjoying career-best form before the break..
NSW WARATAHS
Before the shutdown: Flogged 47-14 by the Brumbies in their most-recent outing, the Waratahs were 1-5 and under mounting pressure to plug their defensive leaks.
What’s new: Kurtley Beale has taken up an early invitation to move to Paris while hooker Damien Fitzpatrick retired and contracted defence coach Phil Bailey was let go as part of budget cuts, replaced by Junior Wallabies coach Jason Gilmore. Sevens talent Nick Malouf could prove to be a handy pick-up for the Tahs.
Player to watch: Angus Bell was already making waves before the break and wouldn’t have to do much more to earn a Test cap when coach Dave Rennie names his first Wallabies side later this year.