Rugby Union Experimental Laws

[heernumurr]

Planet Rugby article

Most Union followers will have heard about the Experimental Law Variations, a set of new rules for rugby union. Well they're here, and it looks like they're going to stay. A year long trial will take place throughout all levels of worldwide rugby, using certain laws agreed upon by the IRB. Check out the article for a better idea of the laws.

I for one am not to happy about them, although I havent really seen much of them in action. I know theyre being trialled in the Super 14, so anyone got any opinions on what theyve done for the game so far?

[jr79]

The best of the changes I've noticed is replacing penalties for most offences with free kicks to shift the scoring emphasis from penalty goals to tries, and encourage a running game. Yet this isn't one of those being adopted in the global trial.

The simpler options for quick lineouts are nice. Being able to just pass the ball back to a teammate before the lineout has formed is easier to enforce than the previous method, and encourages counter-attacking football at the back.

The rule about not passing back into the 22 to kick into touch is a logical extension of the "no running into the 22" rule introduced back about 1993 (?).

Lifting was proving impossible to outlaw without ridiculous semantics so carte-blanche is a sensible approach.

[scottyvoodoo]

The only ELV I'm a fan of is the 5 metre rule at scrum time. It creates more offensive opportunity without a bunch of unnecessary changes to the laws.

[FiddySicks]

Line-out players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in

Thank GOD. As a lifter/supporter that's the most dangerous element of the lineout.

Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down

I really dislike this one. Pulling down the maul can be as dangerous as collapsing the Scrum.

[Alphabet Man]

I like how it allows quick change over of possession that will make the game more entertaining but the traditional, tough-grinding slog of rugby i think will be lost.

[jr79]

Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down

I really dislike this one. Pulling down the maul can be as dangerous as collapsing the Scrum.

Its not quite the same as mauls are rarely as big, and players are generally more upright and less likely to get their head/shoulders below their waist like they are in a scrum. That all said, all ex-rugby forwards like me love rolling mauls and giving teams an easier way of defending them is a bit weak

[FiddySicks]

Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down

I really dislike this one. Pulling down the maul can be as dangerous as collapsing the Scrum.

Its not quite the same as mauls are rarely as big, and players are generally more upright and less likely to get their head/shoulders below their waist like they are in a scrum. That all said, all ex-rugby forwards like me love rolling mauls and giving teams an easier way of defending them is a bit weak

I agree, as a prop myself I absolutely love hitting the backside of a maul on a line out and giving your team that final push into the try zone for the score.