Whatever euphemism lawmakers apply at the start of the season, Mark Lawrence doesn't break into a sweat when briefed about shifts in emphasis, the tweaking in application, or the attempted simplification of rugby's complex laws.

"It doesn't make that big a difference to me," said the Test referee who has called time in 47 Super 14 matches.

He conceded, however, that the players took time to adjust to changes, no matter how subtle.

"Teams are forever pushing the boundaries of what is permissible.

"When there are changes they are horrified at first. They improve techniques in the off-season and are suddenly confronted by law variations at the start of the next season, and they are bemused," said Lawrence.

This year, referees will pay particular attention to a directive that requires the tackler to release the ball carrier and the ball before he is allowed to play it once he's on his feet and not in an offside position.

Scrums will also be marshalled with greater care, while those seemingly innocently drifting offside when a teammate goes in pursuit of an up-and-under will also face the wrath of the law.

"We want to give the attacking side a fair chance to play the ball, which should give a greater flow to the game," Lawrence explained about the breakdown.

Time wasting at the scrum has also been red-flagged.

"Scrums take up about 12 minutes per game on average. Some teams scrum better than others and they try to stall the game there as long as possible," said Lawrence.

Players who drift offside from up-and-unders, according to Lawrence, also undermine the flow of the game.

"If they steal five metres on the player who has caught the ball and who is trying to counter-attack, it will make that player think twice about running it back.

"The result is he'll kick the ball again and you get aerial ping-pong.

"I hate aerial ping-pong because then we have to run more," admitted Lawrence.