Steve Tew acknowledges that rugby must retain a contest for the ball at the breakdown © Getty Images

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New Zealand rugby officials want greater clarity from the Laws of the Game concerning the breakdown, for both fans and players, as part of World Rugby's post-World Cup review of the laws.

World Rugby, rugby's global governing body, is conducting a law review process that could see trials of new or revised rules as early as next year, and New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said that a recent workshop in New Zealand had indicated for "ways to create more time and space for the ball".

"Clearly, there is a growing frustration on the over-emphasis on defence," Tew said, echoing the recent comments of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, after presenting findings to the New Zealand Rugby board.

Hansen said recently that he feared for the future of rugby union after watching what he describes as drab Six Nations Tests between France and Wales, and Ireland and England, insisting that coaches and players "have a responsibility" to produce more entertaining fare. Hansen said "we are trying to get defensive lines up really quickly, but I think we've probably gone too far with it".

Tew said the working group in New Zealand involving top coaches, referees, players and other key stakeholders had also said the breakdown was too confusing.

"The breakdown is clearly the area we are focused on because there is a lack of clarity for the fans and for the players because often they look up when the whistle goes and are never quite sure who will be penalised."

Tew acknowledged that no simple solution was available as the contest for possession after the tackle was a crucial element of the game.

"In the end there was an agreement that the game... is largely delivering on the charter. We still have a contest for the ball, there is a legitimate contest at set-piece and the breakdown ... I wouldn't say we are satisfied with the breakdown, but we are satisfied it needs to remain part of our sport.

"You could do away with all these problems but your wouldn't have props, you wouldn't have loose forwards, they'd all look like rugby league players.

"The big difference in our sport, particularly from rugby league, is there is still a contest for the ball at set piece and breakdown."