Experimental Law Variations Set To Spice Up 2008 Investec Super 14

Spectators and fans will witness a quicker and more exciting brand of rugby in 2008, following a decision by the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions (SANZAR) to adopt a range of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for the 2008 Super 14 competition.

The variations adopted by SANZAR for the 2008 Super 14 relate to the Laws governing:
· Posts and flags around the field
· Inside the 22 metre line
· Lineout
· Breakdown (tackle/post tackle)
· Scrum
· Sanctions

The primary aim of the ELVs is to keep the ball in play longer, with fewer stoppages and more running rugby, thereby creating a more free-flowing, faster and exciting style of play.

The ELVs also make the game simpler to understand, for players and spectators alike.

Developed at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, the ELVs have already been successfully trialled in the Stellenbosch Hostel League, New Zealand’s provincial men’s competition, Division 1B, Australian Rugby Championship, Sydney and Brisbane club competitions and the UK.

Australian Rugby Union Deputy CEO, Matt Carroll said the decision by SANZAR to adopt a number of the ELVs for the 2008 Super 14 will ensure the competition is at the forefront of the game.

“The 2008 Super 14 presents an exciting opportunity to trial the IRB Experimental Law Variations so as to add significantly to the quality of the competition,” he said.

“The ELVs we are trialling have received very favourable reviews in all of the trials conducted so far and the 2008 Super 14 is a unique chance to expose spectators and fans across the globe to the benefits of the new laws.”

“Most importantly, the ELVs will make the tournament more enjoyable and entertaining for all involved.”

New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive, Steve Tew said: “The IRB asked SANZAR to trial the ELVs and we are happy to do that. It will be the highest level of rugby competition at which they have been trialled, which is exciting.”

“The trial of the ELVs in our Men’s B competition saw a more open game and the variations we are trialling were positively received by our players, coaches and referees.”

South African Rugby Union Managing Director, Jonathan Stones said: “The South African Rugby Union welcomes the ELVs for the 2008 Super 14. The move to play under the ELVs will be very beneficial for the game and will create a greater and much more exciting spectacle.”

The 2008 Super 14 kicks off on Friday, 15 February.

Experimental Law Variations to be applied in the 2008 Super 14

Posts and flags around the field

1. Posts and flags around the field (ARC variation)
a. Corner posts will be positioned at the outside junction of the goal line and the touch line.
i. If a player is in possession of the ball and touches a corner post he will not be in touch unless he touches the touchline or the ground beyond the touchline.
ii. If the ball is not being carried by a player and it touches the corner post the ball will be deemed to be touch in goal.

Inside the 22 metre line

2. When a defending player receives the ball outside the 22 metre line and passes, puts or takes the ball back inside the 22, the following can occur.
a. If the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is in line with where the ball was kicked.
b. If a tackle, ruck or maul is subsequently formed and the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is where the ball crossed the touch line.

Lineout

3. On a quick throw in, the ball can be thrown straight or backwards towards the defenders goal line, but not forward towards the opposition goal line.

Breakdown (tackle/post tackle)

4. Players entering the breakdown area must do so through the gate.
5. Immediately the tackle occurs there are offside lines.
6. The half back should not be touched unless he has his hands on the ball.

Scrum

7. The offside line for players who are not in the scrum and who are not the teams scrum half, is 5 metres behind the hindmost foot of the scrum.

Sanctions

8. For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10-Foul Play, the sanction is a Free Kick.
RugbyWA...

So, relative to the ELVs used in the MARC...

Touch Judges
TJ’s can indicate offside at the tackle by raising their flag horizontally in the direction of the offending team. This flag raising will be mirrored by the opposite TJ so as to provide visual assistance to the referee. The referee however is not obliged to act on the offence. - NOT INCORPORATED
Don't see it as a big deal...we'll see how the referee keeps up with the new offside rules

Posts and flags around the field
Corner post, and post at corner of touch in goal and dead ball line are moved back 2 metres. This ensures consistency of touch along the entire length of the touch line and touch in goal line. (MARC)
becomes
Corner posts will be positioned at the outside junction of the goal line and the touch line.
i. If a player is in possession of the ball and touches a corner post he will not be in touch unless he touches the touchline or the ground beyond the touchline.
ii. If the ball is not being carried by a player and it touches the corner post the ball will be deemed to be touch in goal.
Actually, I prefer the new rule to moving the flags...comes to the same thing, but makes it easier to pick whether the untouched ball was touch in goal or play.

Inside the 22 metre line
When a defending player receives the ball outside the 22 metre line and passes, puts or takes the ball back inside the 22, the following can occur:
a. If the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is in line with where the ball was kicked.
b. If a tackle, ruck or maul is subsequently formed <or an opponent plays the ball - removed> and the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is where the ball crossed the touch line.
Fair enough I think, and no great change

Lineout
On a quick throw in, the ball can be thrown straight or backwards towards the defenders goal line, but not forward towards the opposition goal line.
No big deal - I assume it still has to be the same ball though (bloody Aucklanders!)

SO THEY HAVEN'T INCORPORATED:
A player peeling off at the front of the lineout can do so as soon as the ball leaves the throwers hands.
The receiver in a lineout must stand 2 metres from the lineout.
The non throwing hooker does not have to stand between the 5 metre line and the touch line. They must conform to law wherever they stand.
There is no maximum number of players in the lineout but there is a minimum of 2.
Neither team determines numbers in the lineout.
Pre-gripping is allowed.
If a lineout throw is not straight, the option is a lineout or FK to non throwing team.
So basically, no real change to line-out play

Breakdown (tackle/post tackle)
Players entering the breakdown area must do so through the gate.
Immediately the tackle occurs there are offside lines (presumably also incorporates "The offside lines run parallel to the goal lines through the hindmost part of the hindmost player at the tackle.")
The half back should not be touched unless he has his hands on the ball. (I still don't understand why it is "should"...)
Also note that offside for not coming through the gate is retained as a penalty offence

SO THEY HAVEN'T INCORPORATED (or at least, the existing laws apply):
A tackled player must immediately play the ball and may not be prevented from playing the ball by any player who is off their feet.
Any other player playing the ball at the breakdown must be on their feet.
(Didn't really see them as changes anyway...)
If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a FK.
If the ball is received directly from a kick and a tackle occurs immediately, and the ball becomes unplayable, the FK is given to the team who received the kick.
There are only 3 penalty offences (not including dangerous play) at the breakdown:
b. Offside where defenders are in front of the last man on their side of the breakdown. i.e. the offside line.
c. Players on the ground preventing playing of the ball.
(a. retained)
Repeated infringements can be dealt with as per current law.
A scrum option is available for all FKs.
Dangerous play will not be tolerated. Eg. Diving over the breakdown.
I am really pleased about this - don't change the breakdown per se, but change most of the penalties to free kicks.

Maul
NO CHANGES - THEY HAVEN'T INCORPORATED:
Defending players can pull down the maul.
Players joining the maul must do so through the gate.
If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a FK.
The ‘truck and trailer’ is no longer an offence.
HOORAY!!!!! Sanity prevails

Scrum
The offside line for players who are not in the scrum and who are not the teams scrum half, is 5 metres behind the hindmost foot of the scrum.
As in the MARC

Sanctions
For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10-Foul Play, the sanction is a free kick.
As in the MARC

All up, I like it. They have left the line-out, maul and break-down alone, so forward play is basically unchanged. Effectively then, what we will see is how much of the acceleration seen in the MARC was directly attributable to quick taps, fast line-outs and no passing back into the 22. I would not be at all surprised if it turns out to be better than incorporating all the rules. The changes are are also minor enough that changing back for the NH internationals shouldn't be a big issue. Actually, once the SH teams get used to the quick tap, the NH teams might find themselves getting run off their feet.