Effect of the ELVs

Andre Watson, SARU?s Manager of Referees, has a look at some statistics regarding the Experimental Law Variations and comments on them. His comments follow much that has been said about the ELVs.

Watson says: ?We believe that it is too early to respond negatively or positively on whether the ELVs are good or bad for the game. We remind all that the ELVs are being trialled comprehensively and the trial needs to run its course so as to provide a balanced picture before conclusions can be drawn.

“Some quarters hail the ELVs as very good and positive whilst others are slamming it as too close to rugby league and that forwards (Read below for scrums, line-outs, mauls and rucking) are being taken out of the game. In order to make an assessment of the impact of the ELVs, one needs to look at statistics.”

Watson has produced some figures comparing Round 1 of the 2007 Super 14 with Round 1 of the 2008 Super 14, which is a fair comparison. In 2007 the “old laws” were used, in 2008 the curtailed ELVs.

Scrums

2007: 169
2008: 170
Difference: nil
Comment: Same number of scrums as last year
 
Line-outs

2007: 217
2008: 175
Difference: Down 19%
Comment: Teams don’t go for touch on free kicks and they are not allowed to gain ground for kick in touch once the ball is carried over into the 22m area.
 
Ruck/mauls

2007: 959
2008: 994
Difference: Up by 4%
Comment: Which means there are more tackles and rucks involving the forwards even more
 
Penalty kicks/free kicks

2007: 148
2008: 197
Difference: Up  33%
Comment: Because of free kicks awarded in lieu of penalty kicks which results in more tap kicks and play. Also some scrums are now free kicks.
 
Ball in play time

2007: 31 minutes 38 seconds
2008: 35 minutes 56 seconds
Difference: Up by 14%
Comment: More action and ball-in-hand play 

Watson said: ?When one looks at the cold stats, it actually shows that the forwards are as much in the game in scrums, more at ruck/maul, and a little less in line-outs.

?As mentioned earlier, the jury is still out, but let?s allow this to be trialled comprehensively before accepting or condemning.?