The Reds' Quade Cooper is one of those to have caught the eye in the early rounds of the Super 14
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The news this week that the northern hemisphere, like its southern hemisphere rivals, will have to learn to adapt to the new law interpretations in the 16 months leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, presents rugby in this part of the world with its greatest challenge for years, according to Peter Bills in the Irish Independent.
"IRB Referee Coordinator Paddy O'Brien confirmed that the zero tolerance of southern hemisphere referees in the Super 14 this year, regarding four critical areas, will be gradually implemented north of the equator. It is thrilling news for all those involved in the game in this part of the world.
"...As I wrote last year, all that is required is for referees to crack down on the players laying all over the loose ball, sealing it off and denying the opposition rapidly recycled second-phase possession. A healthy dose of yellow cards has backed up the strict interpretation in the Super 14 and, hey presto, we have seen some real rugby with the focus increasingly turned towards attack. I believe that, with this new interpretation of the existing law, the influence of breakaway forwards will, in time, be considerably diluted. For me, this is a huge bonus for the game."
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