NSW Waratahs recruit Will Miller doesn’t think changes to the breakdown laws will have too much of an effect on Super Rugby and other competitions in 2018.

Miller got his first taste of the new interpretations in Friday’s trial match against the Highlanders after the laws were successfully trialled in the northern hemisphere in recent months.

Under the new laws, the tackler can only attempt to pilfer the ball if they enter from their own side of the tackle “gate,” making it more difficult for players making a tackle to cause a turnover.

“For me, I don’t think it changes too much,” Miller said.

“On Friday there were a few times when it would have been nice to have the old rules still in place, when you make a legs tackle and want to jump up quickly and play at the ball.

“Overall though, I think it will make it a lot cleaner around the base of the ruck and will lead to good quick ball and hopefully that helps us in the long run.”

In his first appearance in Waratahs colours, Miller was still able to cause several turnovers in his side’s 55-29 loss to the 2015 Super Rugby champions but said the pilfer was now the responsibility of the second player to reach the ruck.

“If someone is running at me, I’ll always try and tackle him but if someone else makes the tackle, I want to be the next man in and that’s when I get in on the ball. I’ve had to tweak a few little things around my technique in that regard but it hasn’t changed things too much.”

The 2016 Ken Catchpole Medal winner secured his first full time Super Rugby contract late last year after making his debut during a stint with the Melbourne Rebels in 2017.

Although he’ll play behind incumbent Wallabies and Waratahs captain Michael Hooper, the 25-year old is confident he can earn some game time this year.

“Everyone aspires to be the best and if you don’t, you’re not going to set yourself up well enough for the season. Obviously I’d like to start at No.7 eventually and although it might take some time, I just need to keep working on it and see where my game goes from there.”

Miller said he was open to the idea of playing alongside Hooper in the Waratahs backrow, a la Hooper and David Pocock for the Wallabies in recent years.

“I’d love that because it would give me an opportunity to show what I can do in the starting team, that would be unreal but I think I’ll have to wait to see what the coaches think is best for the team,” he said.

“I think it will also depend on the opposition we are playing and how they want to play. If it’s a faster team, they might want to play two backrowers whereas if it’s a big South African team, they may want to play the bigger forwards.

“I’ve been spending a little bit of time in the line outs at No.6 just to make sure I’m across both roles because you never know what could happen in the game but mostly I’ve been focussing on playing No.7,” he added.

The former dairy farmer has put on “4-5 kilos” during his first professional preseason, but will rely on his fitness this weekend when he and the Waratahs head north to play in the Brisbane 10s.

“I’m hoping it’s more like XVs than Sevens, otherwise some of the quicker guys will have a field day I think, but I’m looking forward to giving it a crack.”

The Waratahs are expected to announce their Brisbane 10s squad later today.