How the ELV's will effect Premier Rugby
The Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) will be introduced into Premier Rugby competitions in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Perth. It some cities it will involve all grades and in some it will include some Colts. What effect will it have to the recreational player?
First and foremost, we must understand that the ELV’s were introduced as a trial to speed up the game and to increase the ball-in-play time. To some extent they were also introduced to ‘simplify’ the game and make it easier for the referee by reducing the number of decisions they are required to make. It is currently thought that referees make hundreds of decisions every game.
Most Premier grade Rugby teams train for between 150 and 300 minutes each week, and then go out and play. A great deal of the ‘training time’ is spent either standing, walking or jogging at best. When it comes to game time, players have to be able to run at variable rates, and even at first grade level, there are plenty of players that are replaced during the second half as they become more fatigued.
Rest assured, the ELV’s will speed up the game. Evidence of the fact was the Australian Rugby Competition (ARC) last year where games were played at a faster rate, and the ball was in play for upwards of 38 minutes. Test match Rugby (where players are fully professional) have ball-in-play time of between 30 and 35 minutes.
So….how will players respond and how will they cope with the greater demands, taking into consideration that their skill base may not develop as quickly as the law have been introduced. What are the tactical issues that coaches and players will have to come to terms with?
Scrum
Each backline must be back 5m from the hindmost foot of the scrum, which basically means the two backlines are a minimum of 12-13m apart. This gives the attacking team more opportunity to exploit the space and makes it easier to get to the advantage line.
Will the attack go wide and try to use the space or will they play to centre-field to provide opportunities in either direction? Will the attack run the Number-8 off the back to get over the advantage line and create an off-side line when tackled?
Will the defensive team attempt to make low tackles to stop the attack or will they tackle higher (ball and all) in an attempt to gain a free kick for non-recycling of the ball?
Lineout
Number in the lineout are immaterial, and the defensive player in the tram tracks must be 2m from the front, which means they cannot lift. Therefore, a team that is not throwing in can have 3 jumping pods to pressure the throwing team. This is what Canberra did in the ARC last year and it basically spelt the end of short lineouts.
For quick throw-ins, the ball can be the thrown straight or back towards ones own goal line. As seen in this years RS14, there are many more quick throws, so its important that 11,14 and 15 work in unison. Its also imperative that teams that kick the ball long for territory have a good kick-chase policy/structure.
Inside the 22m
When a defending players receives the ball outside the 22m line and passes or puts the ball back into the 22m area they cannot kick out on the full (as in past years). This means that there is more kicking in general play. It could mean that there are more counter attack opportunities, but as yet this has not been resolved. A good measure of this is to look closely at what the New Zealand RS14 teams do. As soon as a ball is kicked, they get back in numbers and are communicating as to what counter attack opportunities exist. For lower grade players this will be difficult due to their level (or lack of) fitness.
Tackle/Post Tackle
As soon as a tackle occurs, off-side lines are established. Its really important for all players to know what a tackle is; who is a “tackler” and what the referee will focus on. The order has not changed, however, the referees in 2008 will be “moving” the tackler very quickly (that is, the tackler MUST release the tackled player and then roll away) or they will be FK’ed. If the referee deems the tacklers actions to be cynical then they can be PK’ed (and even yellow carded).
Tactically, what will the defence do – contest at the tackle or step back, set their defensive line and wait for an error. Players entering the tackle contest must do so from the back of the tackle (through the gate). Multi-phases (at the lower levels) provides more opportunities to make mistakes which are skill (lack of skill) related.
For teams in possession, how many players will they require to re-cycle the ball? If the defence have one tackler, and the attack put in two players to win the ball then the defence have two extra players in their defensive line. Attacking teams will need to develop strategies to negate a numeral disadvantage. Kicking may not be the answer.
Players who are on their feet in a ruck and who are bound with one arm (that’s hand to shoulder!) can play the ball with the free hand – probably by moving the ball back. Players who are wholly consumed in the ruck and who are on their feet can lift the ball with both hands. The best example of this is David Croft in the 2007 ARC as an example.
Maul
Defending players can pull down a maul as long as they do so by grasping an opposition players from the shoulder to the hips. If a team develops a driving maul (from a lineout) and then a mini-group breaks away with the ball at the back (truck and trailer) they are not liable to penalty. However, the defending team can attack the truck-and-trailer from any direction.
Coaches must be able to make the distinction between a driving maul and a truck-and-trailer as they are different, and they end under different criteria. Where a defending team creates a maul with the attack (by engaging them) they cannot then desist and attack the driving maul from any angle. A driving maul basically only ends when the ball emerges or when the ball is unplayable.
Comment
Players who have the opportunity to play the ELV’s should gain greater enjoyment as there is more opportunity to run with the ball. That being said, their skills and fitness will be tested every time they run onto the field. My suggestion is that when the game is over, DON’T have a beer as you are more than likely going to get some more playing time in a higher grade. Re-hydration, coaching intensity and recovery levels will need a greater focus in 2008. This along with strategic and law understanding will lead to more tries than ever before.
Warren Robilliard - ARU Coach Education Manager
