Super 14's ELVs 'would suit northerners'

[KenyaQuin]

Super 14's ELVs 'would suit northerners'
14th March 2008, 14:28 WST Super 14's ELVs 'would suit northerners' : thewest.com.au

Super 14 data suggests northern hemisphere misgivings about rugby's experimental law variations are off the mark.

Statistics released by the Australian Rugby Union have shown the humble scrum has dramatically risen in importance under the controversial ELVs, opposed by several of the powerful Six Nations.

European critics have feared the International Rugby Board's trialled laws will unfairly lessen the influence of the bread-and-butter set-pieces.

But ARU chiefs say the statistics compiled over the first four rounds, and especially the quality of play in the past fortnight, have shown northerners need not worry about their introduction.

On average, there are slightly more scrums under the ELVs and significantly more tries scored following them.

In the 2007 Super 14, only 19 per cent of the tries scored came following scrums compared to 25 per cent in the 28 games thus far this season.

With less full-arm penalties, lineouts have taken a hit with their average number falling from 31 to 26, and less tries scored from them (29 to 20 per cent).

ARU high-performance manager Pat Howard, who coached Leicester to England's 2007 club premiership, endorsed the new laws and believed they were an immediate success in the Super 14, where pay-TV ratings have also jumped.

Howard said the extra importance on the scrum stemmed from the new law putting backlines back 5m from the No.8's feet.

"It's an excellent attacking platform now with that extra 5m, and Auckland (Blues) particularly, 25 per cent of their tries are first-phase scrum tries and 50 per cent come from scrums full stop," he said.

"The lineout is a little less important (but) there's still a massive impact on getting your set-piece right."

ARU supremo John O'Neill, hoping to continue the trial in the Tri-Nations, agreed it had improved the spectacle and hadn't changed the essence of the game.

The biggest change from the ELVs revolved around the number of penalties, which have dropped from an average 19 to 12 as referees have the ability to better control the game with free kicks (2 to 16).

Most other early data showed little change with the average number of tries (five), rucks and mauls, and the amount of ball in play (33 to 34 minutes) similar to 2007.

But the number of tries has doubled in the past two rounds after an average of three were scored in the first two weeks as teams adjusted to the ELVs.

Howard cited the Crusaders-Western Force and Chiefs-Cheetahs matches last weekend as examples of classic matches under the new laws.

"We're starting to get some good try counts, some open rugby, some good skill level, big defence and at the same stage the set pieces are still very, very important," he said.

Howard believes the laws, pushed heavily by the IRB who would like to implement trials in Europe later this year, could be sold to the north.

England, where much of the reluctance resides, particularly would welcome the extra advantage at scrum-time.

"I think the trial has been successful," the former Wallabies back said.

"The club game over there has tries being scored and this would add to the pace of it but at the same stage still emphasise the set-piece mentality.

"It would work very, very well for them."

More Australian viewers are tuning into the Super 14 this season.

In 2007, the highest audience was 138,000 for NSW's draw with the Force. Already this year, the Waratahs have attracted more for two home matches (185,000 versus the Hurricanes and 173,000 versus the Brumbies) on Fox Sports.

AAP

[laura]

iRB approves global trial of 13 ELVs-
Story by: ARU

iRB has announced global trial of ELVs.
The International Rugby Board announced overnight that 13 of the 23 ELVs submitted for consideration by the IRB’s Law Project Group had been accepted for 12-month global trials from August 1 this year.

The IRB Council also granted SANZAR countries approval to continue trialing other ELVs – including the sanctions variation where the majority of penalties are reduced to free kicks – that are outside the list approved in Dublin for worldwide application at all levels.

“We’ll discuss the Tri Nations options with New Zealand and South Africa,” said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill.

“What is important, however, is that there was widespread acceptance to many of the ELVs when the perception in some markets was that a number of northern hemisphere countries would seek to block almost all of them.

“The outcome is, in many ways, better than we expected.

“Obviously there was enormous hesitation from a number of northern hemisphere nations when it came to the ELVs.

“However, with support from IRB management, the game is now in a position where 13 of the 23 suggested variations will be trialed on a worldwide basis.

“There is also flexibility for SANZAR nations to continue trialing other ELVs already in place in various competitions throughout our three countries, including those in force for the Super 14 competition.”

Northern hemisphere countries have also agreed to use best endeavours to trial the sanctions variation, and others from the full range of ELVs, in elite tournaments during the 12-month trial period.

“Hopefully by November next year when the IRB Council meets to review the ELV trials, we will all be able to talk from the same

position in terms of experimentation and analysis,” said Mr O’Neill.

“By the end of the trial period I trust we will be united and world Rugby can move forward strongly with a consistent set of laws.”

Mr O’Neill also confirmed that while in Dublin he discussed with New Zealand and South African officials the potential for transforming SANZAR’s professional competitions.

The ARU has stated its desire for an expanded Super Rugby tournament and the necessity for the game to continue evolving.

SANZAR has also agreed it would be timely to engage Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Argentina, Japan, USA and Canada as part of its planning process for the future.

“We had a really good meeting,” said Mr O’Neill. “At this stage nothing is in and nothing is out. We should have a firm idea of where we are heading in terms of competition options by the end of September.”

[GIGS20]

including the sanctions variation where the majority of penalties are reduced to free kicks – that are outside the list approved in Dublin for worldwide application at all levels.

Don't they understand that the number of scrums in the game has increased because there isn't a gift lineout on offer for every little mistake. Who would take a scrum outside the 22 when you can kick the ball 50 metres closer to the tryline and take a lineout? Who would take a scrum when you could kick a field goal........ohhhhhh OK I get why England voted that way.....shutting up now!