The game has sped up noticeably, with less lineouts and penalties as free kicks are awarded for most offences other than offside and foul play.

Any law changes have to be approved by the International Rugby Board (IRB) after the World Cup and won't be introduced until mid-2008.

Connolly, speaking ahead of Saturday's second test against Wales in Brisbane, said the All Blacks were best-placed to improve even more under law changes.

"The days of playing target rugby are over," Connolly told The Australian newspaper.

"You need the all-round skills to be able to beat a man one-on-one. The greatest advances in rugby will come from the development of the athlete, which will come very much into play under these new laws with their emphasis on fitness, strength and beating men one-on-one.

"So the days of a Bill Young-type prop are gone. You need guys who can play footy."

Club coaches have predicted a change in body shapes as rugby adjusts to new laws, with more athletic props and locks as less emphasis goes on lineouts in particular.

But one of the architects of the experimental law variations, former Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen, said any changes would take into account the need for scrums and lineouts to remain a big part of the game.

Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman, one of the few Wallabies to have played under the new laws in club rugby, said quick taps at free kicks required the most adjustment.

"That's no good for the big, heavy blokes. There's a lot of running involved," he said.

He backed Macqueen's take on the proposed changes, and hoped props and locks remained the same.

"I hope that's not lost. The beauty of rugby is if you're tall, short, fat or skinny, you've got a position.

"I think that's what makes the game so unique and special and you just want to make sure that doesn't get taken away."

Scrums were still a key attacking focus under the experimental laws, with both backlines now required to stand 5m behind the hindmost foot.

Connolly said the All Blacks were the best counter-attacking side in the world and would benefit from more quick taps, the equivalent of a turnover.