How SANZAR will manage the ELVs

The SANZAR countries (South Africa New Zealand and Australia) have issued a game management plan for managing the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in Super 14.

It is worth noting that when the ball becomes unplayable after a tackle, a free kick will be awarded to the team not tackled. This is in line with the ruck and the maul.

Game Management Action Plan

Breakdown (tackle/post tackle)

1. A hard approach should be taken on tackler rolling away and must be first on referee’s “checklist”.

“Rolling Away” Definition – towards the sideline and if possible not interfering attacking team’s clean-out. If player is “caught” he must show clear intention to “open up” such that he is lying flat to the ground. The “Foetal” position should not be tolerated.

2. During a tackle/ruck, whilst there is a contest for the ball Attackers and Defenders must enter through the gate.

3. If the ball is being dug out (after being won), the halfback/scrumhalf cannot be touched until the ball is clearly out of the breakdown. The benefit of any doubt should go to the halfback/scrumhalf.

4. At the contest, where a potential steal is apparent, an upward action of lifting should be seen rather than a player just being in a position to lift.

5. Once a tackle is made, the off-side line stems right across the field. Retiring players can only be put onside once the player in possession runs 5m or kicks the ball. Passing the ball does not put the player onside. Once the retiring player has returned to the off-side line, he can rejoin play. Once another tackle is made by an onside player there is a new off-side line.

6. Referees and Coaches will educate players regarding a firm stance taken to players off feet, off-side lines and not rolling away for both sides.

Scrum

1. Engagement sequence (ideally within 4 seconds after the crouch):

CROUCH – Call when all bound, with exception of No.8.
TOUCH – on upper arm and together on the call
PAUSE – Immediately after Touch
ENGAGE – “small gap” to engage. Zero tolerance for early engagement.

1. Backrow players not binding on scrum results in a Penalty for off-side play. Off-side Scrum infringements penalties should be given at the place of infringement. Referees need to apply a stronger management of Defensive halfback/scrumhalf and backrow.

2. Both attacking and defending teams to start 5m behind scrum. Cue for defence is when attackers move inside the 5m or the ball has emerged from the scrum. One Touch Judge marks each team’s off-side line. Defending halfback/scrumhalf must stay within 1m of the scrum and can change back to other side.

3. Both Front Rows need to go beyond 90?(not backrow) for a wheeled scrum. If one team’s scrum stays straight it is not classified as “wheeling” under law. Education/Application should follow.

4. The “Whip wheel” scrum is Law 10, which is Foul Play which results in a Penalty.

22m new law / line-out

Scrum inside 22m or on 22m line a kick out will result in gain in ground.

Maul formed outside 22m line and taken back in via same maul a kick out will result in no gain in ground.

A quick throw in from outside 22m line to a player within 22m, a kick out will result in no gain in ground.

For a quick throw in there is an option available for player to run back along sideline to inside 22m and throw to player inside 22m, a kick out will result in a gain in ground.

A free kick given outside 22m – if the team opts to take the kick back inside 22m, a kick out will result in no gain in ground.

Referees and Touch Judges will need to manage players throwing to other players (in a better position) in order to undertake a quick throw in.

Both the receivers and the defending “hooker” must be clearly identifiable and 2m from the line-out.

Sanctions

Two types of Referee advantage signals:

1. Scrum or free kick advantage = Arm out straight.
2. PK advantage = Arm 45? out + verbal call “Penalty advantage”.

Quick taps

1. The offending team must immediately place the ball on the ground. The sanction for non-compliance is a free kick 10m up field.

2. The offending players must retire 10m.

3. Players taking a quick tap must acknowledge that retiring players will create traffic.

4. Tap kick must be taken correctly and on the mark or a line through the mark.

“Cynical”/ clear and obvious offences should be penalised.

Clarity on ELVs since the conference – as agreed by all three countries

* Ball caught or gathered in touch outside the 22m-line cannot be run back – quick throw and the team gain ground by kicking the ball out on the full (line-out where kick was made).

* It is play on if the ball rebounds off cornerpost into field of play or in in-goal. Play on if the ball rebounds off cornerpost on dead-ball line into the in-goal area. If ball is grounded against cornerpost and ground simultaneously the ball is out of play.

*Scrum – Ball-winning halfback/scrumhalf must comply with the restrictions placed on the non-throwing-in halfback/scrumhalf. I.e. He must remain within 1 metre of the scrum until the scrum is over.

* Line-out – not straight throw remains an option to the non-offending team – scrum or line-out.

* Unsuccessful end to a tackle/ruck/maul – Unplayable at a tackle./ruck/maul – Free Kick to the team that did not take the ball into the tackle/ruck/maul.

* Sanctions: There seems to be some confusion regarding the statement that all sanctions barring off-side and foul play are to be Free Kicks. This is not correct. referee to the list of sanctions as received in a Super 14 concise version from the IRB.