I understood there were three proposed rule changes trialed over the Christmas period. From what I recall the three changes made good sense e.g. Long kick dead 40m restart and knock on advantage etc.,
Now I learn that nine new rule changes will come into effect for the 2013 season and this is very confusing.

In simple terms what are these changes and are there too many changes incorporated in one go.

Are these international rule changes adopted by all countries or have we been led by Australia and New Zealand?

Neither, from what I gather the two major competitions are both diverging from international rules. Moronic.

This there's a good thread on the VT over the rule changes to look at.