Conclusion

The ELVs have the support of a significant majority of players in Australia and throughout the southern hemisphere.

The following comments confirm that assessment:

TONY DEMPSEY (CEO Australian Rugby Union Players Association – in respect of the Super 14 survey): “These results clearly demonstrate that the players prefer to play under the Experimental Law Variations introduced this season for the Super 14 competition.”

ROB NICHOL (CEO New Zealand Rugby Players Association – in respect of the Super 14 survey): “Ultimately they have been embraced by the players after having been given the opportunity to prove themselves. The results of the survery indicate the ELVs have been successful.”

PIET HEYMANS (CEO South African Rugby Players Association – in respect of the Super 14 survey): “The survey is a significant confirmation that the ELVs are contributing to a more entertaining game. We need to bring the Northern Hemisphere up to speed with these exciting changes.”

LOTE TUQIRI (Wallabies winger in Sydney Morning Herald): “I really enjoyed playing under those laws during the Super 14. The game is certainly a lot quicker, and you run more. And I like a running game. It’s out of my power but personally I like the ELVs.”

FREDERIC MICHALAK (French flyhalf who played with Sharks in Super 14): “Even (to implement the law) to not allow the ball to be passed back into the 22 and kicked to touch allows the game to be more open.”

Statistics collated by the ARU show the 2008 Super 14 produced more rucks and mauls, fewer lineouts, an equivalent number of scrums, and more ball-in-play compared to the 2007 series. There were more passes, more kicks in general play and the same average try return of five per game. There were also fewer penalties but more free kicks.