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Which ELVs for the Tri-Nations?

Friday 02nd May 2008

Lawless: 'Would you like package one or package two - or a nice mix?'

The three SANZAR partners - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - will meet to select an Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) package for this year's Tri-Nations series.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Thursday that 13 of the 23 ELVs submitted by the IRB's Law Project Group had been accepted for a worldwide 12-month trial period commencing in August.

But the SANZAR unions are already experimenting with some of the more controversial amendments rejected for the worldwide trial - such as the 'sanctions ELVs' that reduce most offences from penalties to free-kicks - in competitions such as Super 14.

The IRB has therefore given approval for SANZAR to continue with their version of the laws "until the end of the global trial".

But several other important ELVs, including free-kick sanctions at the breakdown, will also be trialled in "an elite northern hemisphere competition".

The three-legged approach opens the way for the forthcoming Tri-Nations to go one of three ways - or choose yet another package of amendments.

Australia Rugby Union (ARU) boss John O'Neill said he intends to discuss the matter with his New Zealand and South African counterparts in the coming weeks.

"We'll discuss the Tri-Nations options with New Zealand and South Africa," said 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."

He added: "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 trialled on a worldwide basis.

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

The Tri-Nations kicks off with a meeting between New Zealand and South Africa at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on the first weekend of July.