IRB cautious of changes

By Bret Harris
April 30, 2008
THE IRB council is expected to approve only some of the experimental law variations for a worldwide trial, starting in August, when it debates the new rules at a momentous meeting in Dublin.

There has been a recommendation to the IRB by the laws project group to trial all eight of the laws, which is supported by the ARU, but this is unlikely to receive the necessary 75 per cent backing of the 26-man council.

Most of the opposition to the laws is coming from European nations such as Ireland and Wales and, to a lesser degree, England.

The laws which are most likely to be adopted are the standing back five metres from the scrum and not kicking out on the full when the ball has been passed back into the 22.

But there is concern about the offside line at the tackle contest, the use of hands in the ruck, the awarding of free-kicks instead of penalties for most offences and collapsing the maul.


If the council decides against trialling all of the laws, the IRB is expected to move to have the whole package trialled in a professional northern hemisphere competition such as the Anglo-Welsh club league as soon as possible.

This would allow the possibility of all of the new laws being introduced at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

"It will come down to which laws are suitable and which aren't," IRB communications general manager Greg Thomas said.

"The recommendation is for the laws to be trialled in their entirety, but other people believe this should not be the case.

"The feeling around the world is that some of the laws are worth trialling, while others are the cause for more debate."

The IRB is also expected to approve a recommendation to announce the next two World Cup host nations.

At present the World Cup host is selected on a four-year cycle, but there is a belief that this system works against non-traditional rugby nations which may need longer to organise the event.



* Rugby league convert Timana Tahu is expected to be omitted from the New South Wales 22-man squad for the match with the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend.
Tahu and blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, who have returned from several weeks on the sidelines, were included in a 26-man touring party for the two-game trip to Pretoria and Cape Town.

While Elsom is set to regain his starting spot, Tahu is likely to wait at least another week to make his comeback from a hamstring injury.

Dean Mumm, who has covered for Elsom, will probably revert to the second row with Will Caldwell moving to the bench.

Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher is poised to make changes to his pack for the match with the Stormers in Cape Town this weekend.

Fisher is looking to rotate his forwards to keep them fresh over the course of the last three rounds, which includes games against the Bulls and Force.

Queensland rookie backrower Scott Higginbotham will make his Super 14 run on debut against the Blues in Brisbane on Friday, replacing injured veteran John Roe at blindside flanker


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