Laws, as an intelligent man (yes Ladies, they do exist) once said, are “for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of fools”. In other words, they should be open to interpretation by any and all.
This being the case everything you see on here will be my interpretation of the laws and my view on how I feel it will affect the coaching I undertake. This will be open to debate and no view is to be seen as right or wrong, just interpretation – so please discuss at length and let’s make the whole board a more informed place because of it.
Background
The ELVs have had a proportion of them trialled this season in the Super 14. Some, not all, of these are travelling North for trial in all levels of the game, down to youth and amateur levels. Some have been sent back to be rethought. Some will appear in an “elite” NH competition, we are told. Many of these actually just refine laws already in common usage but there are some key ones that will cause a change in the way the game is played. I shall concentrate on these alone, specifically the ones that are being used universally from outset.
Maul
View - This is the one law I have a major concern over. Safety in our game is paramount and I cannot see how this can be done safely. A well organised and controlled maul is virtually an upright scrum. Does a maul always end in a try? No. Can it be defended against? Yes, with a modicum of difficulty but it can and is. Imagine if you will the idea of several older, overweight players in the lower leagues. To them a maul is a part of the standard fare for their game. What happens if these large (many over 18 stone) men suddenly have their drive collapsed? Are they going to be fit and flexible enough to cope with the sudden pressures on joints, ribs and lungs that this will create? I foresee major injuries this season at all levels, but mostly in the lower leagues. Some will be very serious indeed.
At this point I would like to do a rare thing, and that’s praise the RFU. After consultation with youth coaches across the country they have confirmed that this rule change and the one regarding the removal of the requirement for shoulders to be above hips will NOT be trialled at U19 and lower youth levels until it can be proven that safety is not compromised.
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Quote:The other possible option that seems more likely to guarantee results is someone just grabs the legs of the player at the front of the maul, bringing it all down. The risk there is that your head is right in the middle of the collapsing bodies and likely to get damaged, so I would look to use the current option more.
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Quote:Hywel re ELVs at scrum
One thing is for certain, I wouldn’t want to be a 10 defending that channel this season! Everything is going to be coming at the 10 and a whole lot quicker than before as the attacks will have had extra time to gain speed and momentum. 10s will have to tackle like demons
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Quote:Thankfully we haven’t been asked to go the whole hog and accept the “cheats charter” of free kicks for hands in rucks and killing the ball
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Quote:IRB Health and Safety legal advisers
Disclaimer
Rugby is a physical contact sport and there are inherent risks associated with participating in Rugby related
activities. Accidents can happen and may happen to you. The IRB (including its operating entity IRFB
Services (Ireland) Limited and other associated entities) does not accept any responsibility or liability in
negligence or otherwise in relation to any injury, loss or damage suffered by persons seeking to replicate
activities demonstrated in this IRB Guide To Experimental Law Variations product or participating in Rugby
related activities generally.

| 4 Jun, 2008 22:46 | Report |
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Azrael (IP Logged) Registered User |
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Quote:Hywel
I repeat, only some of the rules are coming in to the northern hemisphere, not all of the ones being trialled in SH.
That is what makes this such a pigs ear of a set of rules.
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Quote:Thanks for the Mem.
Great article, thanks.
It will be more dificult for the 10 to defend as he is 5m further back, however the 7 will remain the same distance from the 8 or attacking backs as this season as it's only the defending side who have to move back.
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Quote:Does seem odd that the players will have to learn one set of rules for one competition and a further set for another.....did I say odd, I meant STUPID!!!
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