Players: ELVs good for Rugby

Richard Brown…revelled with the faster rugby created by the ELVs.

83% of Players in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa surveyed about the effects of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) on the game believe the ELV's have had either a very or somewhat positive impact on Rugby.

The purpose of the survey was to determine the views of the Players in respect of the introduction of the Experimental Law Variations (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 in regard to the Experimental Laws.

In summary the results of the survey were as follows:

1. 264 Players out of a possible 308 Players completed the survey. Of this 93 were Australian, 98 were New Zealanders, 73 were South African;

2. 90% of the Players believe the ELV's are either very or relatively easy to interpret or understand;

3. 88% of the Players believe the ELV's have created more continuity in play;

4. There is conjecture and mixed response amongst the Players as to whether the ELV's have made the breakdown easier to understand;

5. 87% 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;

6. Significantly 85% 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;

7. 82% 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;

8. Importantly 83% of Players surveyed believe the ELV's have had either a very or somewhat positive impact on the game of Rugby overall. Only 10% of the Players thought the ELV's have a very or somewhat negative impact on the game. 7% felt it had no difference;

9. 76.5% of Players support the ELV's being used in the upcoming Tri-Nations.

Commenting on the survey, Tony Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Rugby Union Players' Association said:

"These results clearly demonstrate that the Players prefer to play under the ELVs 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 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 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."