Greenberg conceded the changes to ''captain communication'' could raise some debate.

Under that rule, a skipper can only talk to a referee during a stoppage in play and as players leave the field for the half-time break. Penalties and scrums, however, are deemed not to be considered as breaks in play.

''There was a level of frustration from players, fans and members when they watched games that when a player gets penalised, the attacking team should have the right to take a quick tap or kick for the line when they're ready and the referee has given them the mark,'' Greenberg said.

''It'll no longer be permitted [at the penalty] for a captain to rush up to talk to the referee. There'll be ample opportunity for them to do that in a structured manner. One of those times will be at half-time as they walk off the field.

''People want to see football, they want to see the ball in play, and the decisions we've made complement that view. It's not taking away the opportunity for the captains to talk, but it certainly allows for the game to move on.''