Boks look to boot some ELVs

Boks look to boot some ELVs
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Thursday, 25 September 2008
Boks look to boot some ELVs - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz

South Africa appear to be at odds with New Zealand and Australia over which edition of the controversial ELVs to use in next year's Super 14 and Tri-Nations competitions.

The South Africans are trying to find some consistency amidst the many variations of the new rules that have been used this year and clearly want to get the Springboks in tune with the rules that will be used for the tour of the republic by the British and Irish Lions.

They favour the global ELVs that will be used for the November tests in Europe - and New Zealand's Hong Kong test with Australia - rather than original hybrid ELVs that have been used in Sanzar competitions this year.

The main difference between the two sets is that the hybrid ELVs award free kicks for offences that are generally penalties under the global ELVs.

It's the main area of resistance from the northern hemisphere unions and South Africa are now falling in line with them.

Australia and New Zealand appear to have a preference to continue with the hybrid variety and the matter will be thrashed out at Sanzar's next meeting in Sydney on October 15.

But clearly South Africa are staunch on the desire to align with the global ELVs that will continue to be trialled through to next August and then the IRB will make a final decision on where the game goes with this messy situation.

"We will play the Springbok end of year tour matches under the global ELVs and, most importantly, we will play the British and Irish Lions under the global ELVs next year," said South African Rugby Union president Oregon Hoskins.

"For consistency's sake and to allow our Springboks the smoothest possible preparations for next year's crucial series against the Lions it is vital that we play under one set of laws.

"We have had five sets of ELVs apply in South Africa this season and it has been confusing to the public and even to the referees, who have shouldered a massive burden. One set of laws for all matches is the only way to go.

"Australia and New Zealand will also be playing their internationals under the global ELVs this year and next.

"I trust we will be able to reach a consensus with our partners when we meet but if that is not possible then we may have to go to arbitration on the matter."


They can't win so it must be the rules. Pathetic.

Everyone here is thoroughly confused.. I have a link to a sight which I hope will explain the ELVs BEFORE our season starts... hope the referees get the same link!!!

JO'N mentioned this on the last Inside Rugby last week, they tried to get it through SANZAR and were shouted down by both NZ and Aus! this isn't a story, and it's an old non-story!

South Africa call for ELVs to be dropped
Ian Payten
September 26, 2008 02:36pm

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand rugby bosses are set for a showdown with South Africa over the survival of the ELVs.

Conflict is brewing over South Africa's push for the Super 14 to adopt the northern hemisphere's watered-down rules.

In a move with the potential to all but kill off the popular law changes, South Africa want SANZAR to scrap the "sanctions" Experimental Law Variation to help them prepare for a British and Irish Lions tour in June.

The "sanctions" ELV is the most crucial rule change, in which most penalty offences are reduced to free-kicks. This ensures a sped-up game and fewer boring penalty goal battles.

But despite successful SANZAR trials this year, European nations refused to trial the "sanctions" ELV and now use a diluted version called the global ELVs.

SARU boss Oregan Hoskins has called for use of the global ELVs in the Super 14 for "consistency" but Australia and New Zealand want the full ELVs to stay - setting up a spicy meeting of SANZAR bosses on October 15.

more here...South Africa call for ELVs to be dropped | PerthNow