John Mitchell on rugby's new experimental laws

[KenyaQuin]

Audio interview with John Mitchell on the ELVs can be found at http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/m...ental-law-1448

Those interested in Ewen McKenzie's thoughts on same subject: http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/m...e-step-fo-1449

[zimeric]

without listening to the interviews
is it correct that the hands in the ruck rule has not been included? so effectively this is one rule they will be sticking to current system. i.e no hands in the ruck at all?

[Darren]

See HERE

[zimeric]

ok so i was right.. well done SANZAR!
the ruck/maul area still needs refining but the ELV's didnt do anything to improve them from the current system.

[KenyaQuin]

New laws will trim down the game Bret Harris | December 05, 2007

THE introduction of new rules will not only "super charge" rugby but revolutionise the tactics, selection and even the nature of some positions, according to some of the game's key figures.

Several of the Stellenbosch laws (experimental law variations) will be used in the Super 14 series next year before being trialled on a worldwide basis.

Australia wanted to adopt all of the new laws, but this was opposed by New Zealand and South Africa, who did not accept rules such as allowing hands in the ruck or pulling down the maul.

The laws are designed to promote attacking rugby, increasing spectator appeal with more ball in play and the scoring of more tries.

"We're introducing the new laws to Super 14 to super-charge Super rugby," ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said at a SANZAR meeting yesterday.

There is no doubt the new laws will speed up the game as has been shown in trials in the Australian Rugby Championship, but they also have the potential to change the game profoundly.

"It could have an impact on backrowers," Western Force coach John Mitchell said. "It could have an impact on the second lock being more of a mobile blindside (flanker).

"Some teams will probably choose three openside flankers. All backrowers are going to need the ability to carry (the ball).

"It's going to create quicker decision-making by players. It's going to create quicker transitions between attack and defence.

"It may have an additional endurance factor on certain positions or players. Therefore, fatigue will become an issue with the extra minutes of play. Some positions and how you use your bench are all factors that come into these new laws."

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie agreed. "It will definitely have a tactical impact," McKenzie said. "It's going to require some lateral thinking over the next months.

"We've had a crack at that already, trying to predict things.

"Obviously, we have the benefit of looking at the ARC, but there is more opportunity than we even saw in the ARC to play the game a little bit differently. I mean in an exciting way, not in a negative way.

"It will be interesting to see when we hit the ground in those first few weeks of Super 14 what teams have thought, discovered and practised in the off-season. It's going to make for a very exciting competition."

McKenzie said anticipation that the new laws would be introduced influenced off-season recruiting.

"I had one eye on the new laws coming in," he said. "Speed is not going to do you any harm with the new laws. We've certainly recruited on the basis that these laws might come in, so the people we've got will certainly suit where we think the game is going to go."

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans conceded the four Australian Super 14 teams - Brumbies, Force, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs - would have an advantage because the new laws had been trialled in the ARC.

"No doubt there will be an advantage for those who have experienced them," Deans said. "They will have access to coaches who have worked with them.

"In terms of understanding and initiatives there will be, hopefully, a temporary advantage.

"We'll go back and look at some of the ARC footage and determine whether it will make a significant adjustment to how we play the game. I suspect it won't, but that will be a moving target as every campaign is.

"Every year the game keeps moving and teams take initiatives that you have to keep up with and, better still, try and keep ahead of."

But the canny Deans has already shown he is on top of the new laws by recruiting dual international Brad Thorn as a mobile, ball-running second-rower.

Deans, the preferred choice to succeed John Connolly as Australia coach, is expected to be named on Friday as the All Blacks' new coach.

Asked whether he would be interested in the Wallabies' job if he did not beat Graham Henry for the All Blacks' position, Deans said: "Mate, you know what it's like. It's a day at a time."

[hopep]

Oohh! so NOW people in NSW see some benefit from the ARC.
At last, they see the light. Glad Ewen won't be the next Aust coach, he still has trouble with vision.

[chook]

I enjoyed the ARC and I'm in NSW Hoppy!

[frontrow]

Tch tch tch, hopep, tarnishing all the new south welshers with the same brush regarding ARC, there were quite a few of our fellow twfers/gtt supporters who really appreciated and enjoyed the events, attending games as well...It's ok chookmeister, we know you enjoyed it, mainly due to the team name "rams"...Sage even attended matches with the illustrious exile, gerry and josie, and wore spirit colours...

[Burgs]

Yes, we shouldn't generalize in our disparaging comments about Easterners, that would make us eligible to write for the SMH or The Roar...