Almost correct Marco.

I want to completely skip the rules page and go straight to the registration page where users enter their information. HOWEVER, I want them to have to tick a box that they accept the rules and conditions with the "rules and conditions" being a hyperlink to a popup of the rules and conditions if they want them.

Another way of saying it is to move the "I have read, and agree to abide by the Forum rules." tickbox from the first page to the registration information page, but make the "rules" a hyperlink to the actual rules.

Most people don't read the rules anyway, so changing this makes the registration process more streamlined but still has the legal coverage of having the users accept the rules.