Rugby: Tug of law over ELVs frustrates NZRU boss

Steve Tew says that the denial of some changes were based on assumption rather than fact. Photo / Getty Images

Initial frustration gave way to mixed progress for New Zealand's support of rugby's experimental law variations although several of their most aggressive proposals have been kicked into touch at a meeting in London.

A group of 10 ELVs were approved yesterday by the International Rugby Board but major proposals about pulling down the maul and allowing unequal lineout numbers were dismissed and calls made for further reviews into the raft of free kick sanctions.

Major victories for experimental law advocates came with agreement that the 5m offside line at scrums be retained, quick lineout throws be allowed and that there be no gain from any possession carried back into the 22 and kicked directly into touch.

The rest of the approved variations were cosmetic and an affront to the IRB's project in the past five years.

Blows for Southern Hemisphere officials were the rejection of ideas that mauls could be sacked and that free kicks were the most appropriate punishment for offences at scrum, ruck and maul.

New Zealand chief executive Steve Tew described the meeting as "an interesting couple of days", but there did seem an underlying frustration in his assessment of the win some, lose some outcome for those championing widespread alterations.

That annoyance showed through later when he lamented the lack of a global trial for the proposed law changes.

It would be a major step forward, he said, if all the trials were conducted worldwide at the same time "so we don't confuse ourselves".

"We had the rather ridiculous situation yesterday where the Six Nations were en masse rejecting law variations which they had not trialled. It's fair to say that raised a few eyebrows given they were telling us why they didn't work. They were basing their arguments on assumptions rather than fact."

About 60 rugby officials, coaches and administrators gathered at the Lensbury club in London for a two-day meeting to dissect statistics about the ELVs from more than 800 matches in 15 countries.

While countries south of the equator have been involved in trying the law variations, other Northern Hemisphere nations have scarcely looked at the concepts. Tew was scathing at that lack of interaction, something which was lost on critics who have argued the rule book should not be touched.

"We have worked closely with the other Six Nations unions to paint as accurate a picture as possible of the impact that the ELVs have had," Chris Cuthbertson, chairman of England's task group said.

"We presented to that conference and we are delighted that they have taken our views on board."

Dismissing the maul and free kick sanctions was a blow to delegates from the Southern Hemisphere who hoped they would be approved then ratified at a full IRB council meeting on May 13.

Tew hoped the IRB would still instruct referees to deliver a more liberal interpretation of the tackle ball law to allow the tackler to keep working with his hands while a ruck formed. He argued that other transgressions should be punished by a free kick.
"The sanctions are most handy at the tackle and ruck situation because you don't have to go to a straight penalty every time there is an infringement. It is the part of the game which is the most difficult to play and referee," he said.

Once the IRB council debates the recommendations next month, there will be a final decision on July 1 with a revised global lawbook set to come into force on August 1. After that there will be no more law changes proposed until after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

The IRB did agree that the breakdown area demanded further attention though that would not include rucking. That area needed to be a true contest for possession not an avenue for attacking teams to recycle the ball while defenders were shut out.

Several other issues will be debated next month including a suggestion that halftime be extended to 15 minutes and that rolling substitutions be allowed in amateur matches.

* The changes

RECOMMENDED

Assistant referees

Kicking directly into touch from ball played back into 22 equals no gain in ground

Quick throw permitted in any direction except forward

Positioning of player in opposition to the player throwing-in to be 2m away from lineout and the line of touch

Pre-gripping of lineout jumpers allowed

Lifting in the lineout allowed

Positioning of receiver must be2m away from lineout

5m offside line at the scrum

Halfback offside line at the scrum

Corner posts no longer touch in-goal

NOT RECOMMENDED

Head and shoulders not to be lower than hips in maul.

Pulling down the maul

Freedom for each team to determine lineout numbers

Sanctions and free kicks (recommended for further examination)