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ELVs - the view from the pitch

Thursday 01st May 2008

Ian McGeechan: 'My concern is that we will end up playing one type of game'

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that 13 of the 23 Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) currently being experimented within southern hemisphere tournaments such as the Super 14 will be trialled at all levels of the game for a period of 12 months.

These new laws include players being able to defend a maul by pulling it down, no restriction on the number of players in a line-out and the introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet in a scrum.

Some other ELVs are also to be trialled in an unnamed "elite northern hemisphere competition" next season - probably the European Challenge Cup - such as free-kicks, rather than penalties, being awarded for the vast majority of offences.

And a further seven ELVs have been referred back to the IRB's laws group for more analysis.

The global trial has been earmarked for Test matches right down to grassroots level and begins on August 1.

The proposed introduction of the ELVs has been racked with controversy, with battlelines seemingly following the line of the equator.

Here are the views of some of the ELVs' most prominent advocates and critics:

Shaun Edwards (Wasps coach and Wales assistant coach):

"One of rugby union's strengths is the contrast it offers. There is beauty in slow parts of the game and I am wary of these proposals.

"I like the contrast in rugby union. There is beauty in the slow parts of the game. A maul, for example, is one of the most technically difficult things to do. It might be static, but it's skilful. I'm very wary of these proposals."

Eddie Jones (former Australia coach):

"Rugby's charter is a game based on an equilibrium between contest and continuity, structure and unstructured, set-piece and loose possession. As a game, it separates us from Aussie rules and rugby league where high ball movement reigns.

"To attract footy's swinging supporters in Australia, we either have to be very successful at national or provincial level or produce a game that matches AFL or league as Super 12 did in 2000 and 2001 when sides ran from everywhere because a new law aided security of possession.

"The rest of the world does not have such intense competition for footy spectators so there is skepticism towards law changes that only promote the spectacle, not the charter."

Robbie Deans (Crusaders coach):

"I believe the ELVs are great for rugby and will make the game easier, more enjoyable to play and simpler. The game should cater for all shapes and sizes and the ELVs do this. They will also mean that players will influence the results of matches more so than referees. I am right behind the new law changes that are being used in this year's Super 14."

Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs coach):

"I personally am very happy with the ELVs and it is obvious they have made a difference. We are still in a period of understanding for both players and referees and things will get even better.

"Anything that promotes ball movement is great, but on a note of caution, we must make sure we always safeguard the traditional elements of rugby."

Rassie Erasmus (Stormers coach):

"Generally I don't have any problems with the ELVs. I think they are good for our game. But I am a little concerned about how some referees are handling the breakdown.

"I am pleased it is a free kick at the breakdown now, instead of a penalty. But this free kick should come quickly so there is continuity of the match. Some referees do award the free kick quickly and play then continues quickly, but some referees take too long."

Schalk Burger (South Africa and Stormers):

"I think the ELVs have plenty of good potential, but it will take a lot of time before the players are completely used to them. The first couple of games I played under these new rulers caused me a few problems.

"In our first Super 14 game this year against the Bulls, the different refereeing at the breakdown worried me and I found it a bit of a shambles. But as time goes on I am adapting quite well. In time I believe rugby will be good to play and watch because there will be lots of turnovers and so plenty of chances to attack."

Bob Dwyer (former Australia coach):

"I think they are a good thing for rugby. I don't know why the Europeans have problems with them, as in the games that I have watched regularly from Europe this year, players often use a quick tap to try and catch the opposition out.

"That is what the new laws encourage, so if they give it a fair trial, the Europeans might see it will improve the game in their countries."

Richard Hill (Bristol coach):

"One or two of the more minor adaptations make sense - if we have to refer to a touch judge as an assistant referee, I'm sure we can live with it - but when we get to things that affect the fundamentals of the game, I'm very skeptical indeed.

"Rugby up here in the north is moving in the right direction: it's intense, exciting and increasingly popular with the public. If the scrum and line-out are to be depowered and devalued, we will cease to have a game for all shapes and sizes.

"Under the proposed laws, I would have to think very carefully about recruitment and selection. Certain people - specialist scrummagers who might not be the most mobile around the field, or people over the age of, say, 32 - probably wouldn't be suited to the new sport. To my mind, it was never the point of rugby to produce identikit players."

John Kirwan (Japan coach):

"I have been critical of the International Rugby Board at times in the past, but I firmly believe that they're doing the right thing by trialling these Experimental Law Variations. In fact, I'm keen to see the ELVs implemented as soon as possible."

Bryan Habana (South Africa and Bulls):

"It has created a game which is closer to rugby league. Defences are much stronger and there is less space. It has created more kicking in the game, there is more time in play, but it is very much like rugby league, stop-start, stop-start."

Ian McGeechan (Wasps director of rugby):

"My concern is that we will end up playing one type of game, that the variety and depth of options which the game has always had will be taken away.

"The game has prided itself on being one for all shapes and sizes but not for much longer unless we're careful. They are saying the ELVs make no difference to the scrum but they do. Props will have to change because their job will change.

"With free kicks you speed the game up to such an extent that they will have to be ultra-fit and mobile. The experiments have had a deconstructing effect on the Super 14 to the point that it becomes boring.

"You cannot have a contest at the breakdown because the referee gives a free kick and, if he doesn't like the look of the next breakdown, he gives another one. And so on."

Bernard Lapasset (IRB Chairman):

"The primary aim of the ELVs is to make the game simpler to understand for players and supporters alike, and that the players dictate the outcome of matches not referee subjectivity. At the same time the basic fabric of the Game has to remain the same in terms of maintaining its identifiable characteristics - the scrum, maul, ruck, line-out and tackle.

"Importantly, everything that is being trialled relates to the Game's Playing Charter that recognises Rugby as being a game for all shapes and sizes and that the contest for possession is of paramount importance."