Experimental Law Variations For Tri-Nations Under Discussion
May 02, 2008 - 3:12pm
Story by: ARU

Australian Rugby Union will discuss this month with SANZAR partners New Zealand and South Africa the Experimental Law Variations package for this year’s Tri Nations series.

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.”


Please see the ELVs that are to be trialled worldwide:
Assistant Referees
• Assistant Referees can assist referees in any manner required when appointed by a match organiser
Posts and flags around the field
• The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the post

Lineout and throw
• If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain of ground
• A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s own goal line
• There is no restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout from either side (minimum of two)
• The receiver in a lineout must stand 2 metres back from the lineout
• The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball may stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres away from the lineout
• Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in
• The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted

Maul
• Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down
• Remove reference in Law to heads and shoulders not to be lower than hips

Scrum
• Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum
• Scrum half offside lines (must be in close proximity to the scrum as present Law or must retreat five metres)
ELVs to be trialled in an elite Northern Hemisphere competition. Global approved ELVs plus the following:

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

Tackle and ruck
• If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free Kick
Maul
• If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free Kick

ELVs to be referred back to LPG for further analysis and possible experimentation (any future trials yet to be determined)

Lineout and throw
• Incorrect throw (not straight) the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck
• Offside line occurs immediately at the tackle
• Players who are on their feet can play the ball with their hands
• There are two Penalty Kicks warded at the tackle and ruck – offside and foul play
• Reference to unfair play added to Law 15 (tackle: ball carrier brought to ground)

Offside
• Players are only put onside after a tackle when they retreat past the tackle or the ball has moved five metres away from the tackle

Kick-off and restart kicks
• Incorrect kick-offs and restart kicks result in a Free Kick for the opposition


Note:
Those SANZAR Unions that are currently experimenting with ELV trials in the Southern Hemisphere – in competitions such as Super 14 and Vodacom Cup – will be allowed to continue those trials including the sanctions ELVs until the end of the global trial of the approved ELVs (August 1, 2009).