Few changes have been to the laws of the National Rugby Championship 2019.
Teams will now be rewarded for strong defence with a goal line dropout when the ball is held up in the in-goal area.
They will also be recognized for aggressive territorial kicking with the introduction of a 50:22 play.
Attacking teams that boot the ball indirectly from open play or a free kick within their own half and land it either within their opponent’s 22 or touchline will earn a lineout throw.
The NRC will also introduce lunchtime kick-offs scheduled around the Rugby World Cup, allowing fans to enjoy both the domestic competition and the Wallabies’ adventures in Tokyo on TV.
Use of suburban grounds, such as Apex Oval in Dubbo and Viking Park in Canberra, will be continued.
Meanwhile, defending champions, the Fijian Drua will take on Brisbane City on the 31st of this month.
Fiji’s first home match will be against the Western Force a week later.