Add CategorySEVEN point tries will be on offer when the Force make their long awaited return against the Fiji Warriors at nib Stadium on Friday night.
A series of rule changes have been introduced for Andrew Forrest’s World Series Rugby in a bid to speed up the game and make it exciting.
One of the rules will result in teams being awarded seven points for a try that begins inside their defensive 22m zone.
To be awarded the “Power Try,” there must be no break in continuity of possession, meaning the attacking team can’t commit a penalty or turn the ball over.
Another rule change will allow teams to take a lineout as fast as they want — even if the other team isn’t ready.
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A one minute limit will be placed on scrums, while teams are allowed to make 12 substitutions, up from the traditional eight.
The Force are still waiting on World Rugby to tick off the seven point try, but Matt Hodgson is confident it will be rubber stamped before Friday’s game.
Eight former Force players have been named in the match squad, with billionaire mining magnate Forrest hopeful of attracting a crowd in excess of 15,000.
As it stands, 13,000 tickets have already been sold.
The Force were axed from Super Rugby at the end of last season, but Forrest has revived the franchise and wants to create a separate competition taking in teams from Asia.
Forrest hopes that competition will be up and going by next year.
In the meantime, the Force is scheduled to play against seven invitational sides in Perth this year.
It all begins on Friday night against the Warriors, before the Force take on Tonga next week.
Marcel Brache, Peter Grant, Prior, Brynard Stander and Chris Alcock are among the former Force players who have returned.
FORCE (15-1): Peter Grant, Rod Davies, Marcel Brache, Rodney Iona, Brad Lacey, Andrew Deegan, Ian Prior (c), Brynard Stander, Chris Alcock, Tevin Ferris, Johan Bardoul, Fergus Lee-Warner, Chris Heiberg, Heath Tessmann, Harry Lloyd
Reserves: Alifeleti Kaitu’u, Tom Sheminant, Kieran Longbottom, Leon Power, Harrison Orr, Ryan Louwrens, AJ Alatimu, Clay Uyen