Blackadder blasts 'bizarre' SANZAAR move
He called the proposed changes to the Super Rugby bonus point system "bizarre" and suggested there was a lack of consultation with franchises on the matter.
The SANZAR initiative, that is expected to formally unveiled early next week, also include a number of minor law variations for the 2016 Super Rugby season.
While some of the expected law innovations still require World Rugby approval, the biggest innovation – a change to the try-scoring bonus points – is what has caused the biggest stir.
The SANZAAR change will see the bonus point awarded to teams who score four tries or more in a game scrapped and replaced by one for teams that score three tries more than their opponents.
Blackadder called the proposed change "bizarre" and queried the lack of consultation with franchises on the matter.
The mooted change, widely reported by media in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, is a copy of the system used in the French Top 14 league and aimed at keeping lopsided games alive for longer periods.
Blackadder, though, was hardly enthused by the move.
"It is a little bit bizarre," he was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz website on Friday.
"It just means we have to score three tries more than anyone else. It will be really interesting when it comes to decisions [on the field]."
Blackadder, a former All Black captain who has coached the seven-times Super Rugby champion Crusaders since 2009, said he had not been consulted on the changes ahead of the new season which starts on February. 26.
"Honestly, no. We just got flicked an email," the 44-year-old said.
"There hasn't really been a lot of consulting, to be honest, which is disappointing. But it is what it is. Like anything we will ask our players to adapt and get on with it."
Sources: stuff.co.nz & Reuters
