>>alker: every collision's like being in a car crash i suppose.and it's you know quite physically demanding,but also it's quite mentally demanding. >>richardson: last weekend we had a young guy...and within the first ten minutes broke his jaw....and the coach said...well it's all right, he's only a winger. just let him stay on a little bit longer. so he did. and he performed all game. he's got a broken jaw unfortunately. >>reporter: but as well as being a tough and incredibly skilful sport...it's an innovative one. which is why last year, the game's top league introduced an american style franchise system, and scrapped any promotion and relegation... >>kimberley: moving to a licence system where we're endeavouring to give clubs some security, of knowing that they're in the top league for a period of time which is three years. >>reporter: 19 clubs applied for the 3 year licenses, based on criteria such as financial stability, playing strength and quality of facilities. 14 were successful. >>tarry: it does give a team a period of time in which to tr