SANZAR deciding on ELVs
Fri, 02 May 2008 10:37
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) will discuss this month with SANZAR partners New Zealand and South Africa the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) package for this year's Tri-Nations series.
The International Rugby Board announced overnight that 13 of the 23 ELVs submitted for consideration by the IRB's Law Project Group had been accepted for 12-month global trials from August 1 this year.
The IRB Council also granted SANZAR countries approval to continue trialing other ELVs - including the sanctions variation where the majority of penalties are reduced to free kicks - that are outside the list approved in Dublin for worldwide application at all levels.
"We'll discuss the Tri-Nations options with New Zealand and South Africa," said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O'Neill.
"What is important, however, is that there was widespread acceptance to many of the ELVs when the perception in some markets was that a number of northern hemisphere countries would seek to block almost all of them.
"The outcome is, in many ways, better than we expected.
"Obviously there was enormous hesitation from a number of northern hemisphere nations when it came to the ELVs.
"However, with support from IRB management, the game is now in a position where 13 of the 23 suggested variations will be trialed on a worldwide basis.
"There is also flexibility for SANZAR nations to continue trialing other ELVs already in place in various competitions throughout our three countries, including those in force for the Super 14 competition."
Northern hemisphere countries have also agreed to use best endeavours to trial the sanctions variation, and others from the full range of ELVs, in elite tournaments during the 12-month trial period.
"Hopefully by November next year when the IRB Council meets to review the ELV trials, we will all be able to talk from the same position in terms of experimentation and analysis," said O'Neill.
"By the end of the trial period I trust we will be united and world rugby can move forward strongly with a consistent set of laws."
O'Neill also confirmed that while in Dublin he discussed with New Zealand and South African officials the potential for transforming SANZAR's professional competitions.
The ARU has stated its desire for an expanded Super Rugby tournament and the necessity for the game to continue evolving.
SANZAR has also agreed it would be timely to engage Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Argentina, Japan, USA and Canada as part of its planning process for the future.
"We had a really good meeting," said O'Neill. "At this stage nothing is in and nothing is out. We should have a firm idea of where we are heading in terms of competition options by the end of September."
