ELVs: Southern players say yeah
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:56
The the true value of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) may have caused some heated debate between Northern Hemisphere officials and their Southern Hemisphere counterparts, but the players from the south have given their backing to the changes.
Recently the Australian, New Zealand and South African Rugby Union Players' Associations jointly undertook a survey of the players who participated in the Super 14 competition this year. Of a possible 308 players, 264 responded to the survey.
The purpose of the survey was to determine the views of the Players in respect of the introduction of the ELVs that the players played under during the recent Super 14 competition so that all three players associations may better understand the collective views of the players who participated in the tournament.
In summary the results of the survey were as follows:
* 264 Players out of a possible 308 players completed the survey. Of this
93 were Australian, 98 were New Zealanders, 73 were South African;
* 90 percent of the players believe the ELV's are either very or relatively easy to interpret or understand;
* 88 percent of the players believe the ELV's have created more continuity in play;
* There is conjecture and mixed response amongst the players as to whether the ELV's have made the breakdown easier to understand;
* 87 percent of the players believe the law variation requiring defending backs to stand more than five metres back from the scum is a positive for the game;
* 85 percent of players believe the free kick experimental law variation has had an overall positive impact on the game. This is significant given the IRB's recent decision to introduce law variations from 1 August this year that do not include this free kick variation;
* 82 percent of players believe the ELV concerning a Player passing the ball back beyond his own 22 metre line has been very or somewhat positive for
the game;
* 83 percent of players surveyed believe the ELV's have had either a very or somewhat positive impact of the game of rugby overall. Only 10 percent of the players thought the ELV's have a very or somewhat negative impact on the game. Seven percent felt it had no difference;
* 76.5 percent of players support the ELVs being used in the Tri-Nations.
Tony Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Rugby Union Players' Association (ARUPA) said: "These results clearly demonstrate that the Players prefer to play under the experimental law variations introduced this season for the Super 14 competition. It is important the games administrators listen to the views and attitudes of the Players in respect of this very important issue so that we continue to ensure rugby is both an entertaining and interesting sport for both it's participants and fans alike. We look forward to liaising with our respective governing bodies in upcoming months in relation to this subject to ensure continued progress is made."
Rob Nichol, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association (NZRUPA) said: "There was a lot of debate about the ELV's at the start of the Super 14 competition, however ultimately they have been embraced by the players after having been given the opportunity to prove themselves. The results of the survey indicate the ELV's have been successful"
Piet Heymans, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Rugby Players' Association (SARPA) said: "The survey is a significant confirmation that the ELV's are contributing to a more entertaining game. We need to bring the Northern Hemisphere up to speed with these exciting changes."
