1. Elongate the ball.
2. Allow players to use their hands.
3. Allow players to pass the ball with their hands and other players to catch the ball with their hands.
4. Allow players to wear padding and actually, physically tackle opposing players who have the ball.
5. Have goals count as 6 points and extra points count as 1 with kickers kicking straight on instead of soccer-style.
Aah, padding, how cute.
Still, if you aint man enough to play rugby...........
I was going to make suggestions similar to yours. You beat me to the post.