With more than 30 offences to consider, the referee's job at the breakdown (the battle for possession after a player is tackled) is extremely difficult.

So the new laws propose the removal of many pages from the law book by allowing players to handle the ball in the ruck.

"Everyone accepts it's a mess at the moment," said O'Brien.

"Players - so long as they're onside, have entered from the back and are on their feet - can play the ball with their hands.

"With these laws, players fight for the ball and the best man wins."