Experimental Law Variations

Survey Background

Several surveys have been conducted over the past 12 months to gauge the reaction of players – and in some instances coaches and match officials – to the Experimental Law Variations. The ELVs have been trialled in various forms through a range of southern hemisphere competitions.

The surveys carried out include:

1. A questionnaire distributed across the SANZAR countries by the Rugby Union Players Associations in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The survey involved players who participated in the 2008 Super 14 tournament. From a possible 308 players, 264 responded.

2. An Australian Rugby Union commissioned survey as part of an ongoing review into the ELVs presently under trial in the Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth club competitions. A total of 196 responses were received – 27% from players, 35% from coaches and 38% from referees. Of the respondents 63% were involved at Premier Rugby level, while 37% were at second, third and fourth grade level.

3. A NSW Rugby Union survey of 67 players who participated in last year’s Mazda Australian Rugby Championship with the Central Coast Rays, the Western Sydney Rams or the Sydney Fleet. The ELVs installed for MARC were the same as those currently used in the Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth club competitions

4. An ARU survey of 18 players, 11 coaches and 10 referees involved in the 2007 Mazda Australian Rugby Championship. The 39 participants were asked for general comments on the effect of the ELVs.

While there have been variances in the ELVs trialled in Australian club competitions, Super 14 and more recently at Tri-Nations level, all have experimented with the following:

• Sanctions – the reduction of penalties to free kicks in most instances
• Offside line at the scrum ensuring the defensive line is back 5m
• No kicking out on the full from inside the quarter if the ball is passed back

These three ELVs have high levels of support from survey respondents.