'We need unity': Wallabies coaches Zoom in to help Brumbies, Super teams prepare for changes

Rennie, who is expected to arrive in Australia in the coming weeks, spoke to ACT Brumbies staff earlier this week about their plans for the new domestic competition and what structures they will have in place.

Previous attempts to create a national approach have been hindered by intense interstate competition, and the gap between Super Rugby and Test programs widened in recent years.

Some coaches grew frustrated with Wallabies players being called into mid-season camps, while there was limited interaction about game plans, trends and structures to benefit all.

Rennie visited all Australian franchises in January, and is keen to maintain contact with coaches and players throughout the year for the betterment of Australian rugby.

In the past that was thought to mean asking Super Rugby coaches to pick players in certain positions as a Wallabies preview. But veteran coach Laurie Fisher says it's now about working together on overall plans.

"I think there were good signs in the game in the first six or seven rounds this year ... I think we'll get really good leadership from the national coaches," Fisher said.

"We'll get a real sense of unity and common purpose. Once you get that, if you harness the strength of all the teams I think there will be a real movement forward.

"I'd be really encouraged about where our performances are going to go over the next couple of years. If performances go well, the sport will grow again.

"[It's about] about game analysis, game trends and what's important at Wallaby level ... providing leadership about different aspects of the game. I think [Wallabies coaches] are really involved in what respective teams are doing.

"That sort of leadership and common purpose will go a long way. We had a Zoom catch up [with Wallabies staff on Monday] about the first round of games in New Zealand last weekend and what sort of impact that might have on where we're going.

"That sort of regular catch up will be superb and help us move forward. The national team has to come first. It doesn't mean we all play the same [style] at the level underneath.

"That doesn't happen in New Zealand ... but if we can all see the game in a similar way and the non-negotiables for Australian rugby union players around conditioning and skill set then we're half a chance of delivering what we want to deliver."

The Super Rugby AU will start in Brisbane on July 3 before the Brumbies host the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra on July 4.

Brumbies officials are still working with the ACT government to determine if crowds will be allowed to attend, and if so how many will be in the stands.

It is hoped a raft of rule changes will make rugby more attractive to spectators, with law variations introduced to speed-up the game and referees told to crackdown on anyone trying to slow the play.

Australian rugby has struggled to gain fan momentum for the past decade, steadily losing supporters who became disillusioned with a confusing Super Rugby format and the stodgy game-style.

Fisher is supportive of the changes law makers are trying to make, but he wants to make sure attacking play is rewarded rather than given defenders more opportunities to have an impact.

"They were pretty harsh [in New Zealand] on the poacher ... it will take a couple of weeks to get clarity," Fisher said.

"Honestly, I don't think it will change things dramatically. It's just about reinterpreting what's in the law book ... around the breakdown, you want to make sure you give the attacking team a go. I don't want to go too far to the side of the defence being rewarded too quickly and not having earned that.

"The changes in rugby league were about speeding the game up and advantaging the attacking team. We don't want to go away from that ... we've just got to see how it operates and fine tune as we go."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

The domestic competition will run until mid September, but Rugby Australia is yet to finalise a competition structure or broadcast deal for 2021 or beyond.

The uncertain future has created some concerns for players and administrators, who are unsure what the game will look like next year.

New Zealand Super Rugby chief executives are keen to push ahead with plans for a new trans-Tasman competition, but there is some resistance to abandon South Africa.

Asked about the best competition structure for the future and speculation about the Brumbies merging with the Rebels, Fisher said: "I wasn't aware it was being raised again. I think we've shown since 1996 the capacity to be very successful standalone rugby team and rugby area. I don't see that changing."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND ONE

July 4: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.