So, it's actually happened...?

Question

Yes, the ELVs are making there way towards the Northern Hemisphere next season. I personally think that it's a disgrace. The main reason for this is that the Aussies are losing money to League and so wanted to simplify and speed up the game to compete. That's fine, but why don't they set up a sevens tournament to compete with league and let Union go altogether. Instead they've had to muck it up for the rest of us. This isn't an anti-Australia post by the way in case that's what you're thinking.

Next season, we can look forward to a Heineken Cup of a never ending stream of free kicks, a free for all at the lineout and a breakdown being slowed by everybody, with no repercussions. Let's not forget the maul, what once took skill to create and was an effective tool for powerful packs will now be negated by the legalising of pulling it down.

I'm running out of space to work with now so the question: What are your opinions on these laws and what impact will it have on European Rugby?

Answer 1

Let me state that I am a Northern Hemisphere rugby fan and actually enjoy the new rule changes. Doesn't seem to me that scrummaging has been taken out of the game and a powerful pack is still an important asset, although now mobility is a key... It also doesn't appear that scores happen at will during the Super 14...average scoring seems to be in the 20's. I actually believe one of the biggest impacts is the additional space off the scrums... If Northern Hemisphere teams stop complaining and begin working on how to use their skilled forward packs and back row skills to attack this additional space they will be much better off. In many ways these new rules may help some of the lower echelon teams (USA, Canada, Japan, etc.) with good athletes be better able to compete in open play. This can only be good for the game itself.

Answer 2

Yes that is one way of looking at it. But consider the money making factor also. If the sport becomes faster and less bogged down by scrums then chances are more people will be inclined to watch. Right now if I didnt love the game I would be put off by the drudging pace at scrums but I could live with that.

Answer 3

Cry me a river mate.  Believe it or not - there isn't a super secret conspiracy of us Southern Hemisphere types aiming to hobble the glorious record and scintillating playing style (snigger) of the Northern Rugby Union boys.   Not that the amount of hysterics being stirred up by the UK media would let you think otherwise.  Just open your mind to new ideas and give it a chance rather than parroting jingoistic c**p with no experience of the rules in question.

Just so our dear northern cousins know - most of us down here in the sunny south were also completely taken aback a year ago when these rules were thrust open us.  We sure as sh*t didn't ask for them and they caused a big stink. We had previously heard vague rumors about them being trialled by the IRB over in Stellenbosch S.Africa and we assumed they were your daffy idea (as we like to think of the IRB as being run behind the scenes by stuffy old poms and Anti-southern hemisphere suit and tie Eton types.)  I can admit I had serious doubts about the new rules at the time and even now there are two in particular I'm crossing my fingers don't make it over (I agree pulling down mauls is pointless and robs fatty forwards of any chance of try scoring glory and don't get me started on the hands in the ruck rule - I AGREE its a complete bunfight as I have watched it firsthand in the ARC - most of the professional players I've spoken to don't like it either)   but I have to say - i've grown to like quite a few of the other less controversial rules.  I can't see why you don't just give them a chance for just one season in the Heineken cup like we did in our provincial comps rather than sit around complaining (god knows you already have enough of a reputation as whingers.)  We've found the play is usually a lot more free flowing and aggressive and leads to a lot more try scoring opportunities.   And no its not anything like league or touch rugby - but by god you do need to be fit.  Obviously, there needs to be some solid and consistant refereeing of the breakdown to ensure there is no cynical play but this is an issue in the current rules anyway (Note to IRB - GET MORE CONSISTANT REFS!)  And before you moan about the emasculation of the set piece, I would just like to say anyone who prefers watching 80 minutes of slow and cautious rugby to see no score other than three wobbly penalties is either a m*******t or just a couch surfing, pedantic tosser who confuses their focus on the rules with enjoyment of the running game.  The scrum isn't removed from the game as strong scrummagers will always opt for the scrum instead of the quick tap and annihilate the opposition who in their turn will opt tap and run - meaning teams get to play to their strengths.   So whats the real issue - do you feel threatened? I know we down here like to tease you for playing boring, stodgy, dull, throttle the life out of the game, kick for the corners, hey give it to johnny then lets kick a penalty type rugby. (we also laugh at your claims that the Heineken cup constitutes good rugby and think your beer sucks)  and you in return think we play poncy, sevens style, touch rugby, with lots of stolen islander players (plus we come to London and take all your low paying bar jobs)  This simple difference of opinion and styles are what makes rugby glorious.  We love the game just much as you do and we are content for you to continue playing to your strengths. At the end of the day these rules aren't our attempt to make you play to our style of rugby - they are just something to IRB came up with to counter the blanket defensive nature of the game over the last few years and to try and inject some more scoring and life into it.  I don't know how it is for you up there but here in Oz and NZ (i'm a dual national) many people really are turning away from the sport.  Not because of losses (as much as they do hurt) or the board room backstabbing but because joe public has no f*ing idea whats going on on the field half the time and is bored sh*tless watching resets scrums and pointless penalties.  You and me might understand and enjoy the current game but the other 95% of the population doesn't.  FACT. And thats not good for anyone - as much as I'd like to keep rugby "just for us" the game will wither up and die at the grass roots if it can't compete with other codes.  Deal with it.  We will disappear first and you guys will be next because you can't support the code alone (unless you want the highlight of your sporting year to be Toxteth Heath Harlequins playing Staines Old Boys.) Next thing you know everyone will be left sporting David Beckham tracksuits and watching world series baseball on the weekends.  SO PLEASE NORTHERN RUGBY FOLLOWERS for the sake of the continued global viability of rugby - just shut up and give these rules one season.

Answer 4

I don't even think it will help offensively now! If someone cuts the line, but then gets tackled by the fullback, I as a flanker will try to be first there to counter-ruck. If I wanted to slow the ball down from that ruck, I can just come in from the side and only concede a free kick! Okay, for me in that situation it will be handy, but for the game, it'll suck!

Answer 5

I disagree, i think overall they are good for the game. Watching those boring northern hemisphere matches where the backs dont get the ball and teams especially england play 10 man rugby is a waste. Who doesn't want to see the wingers get the ball more often and get the most out of their talent.

There are still just about or nearly the same amount of scrums packed per game so I still think the game is won or lost up front which is the way it should be.

It definetely makes for a better spectacle and i think it'll create more interest to the sport which is what we all want.

Two laws - dragging down the maul and offside at the tackle are not doing any favours for the game though.

As for the free kicks. Probably around half are taken quickly and half the time a scrum is set anyway so. The breakdown isn't a free for all, teams slow the ball down just as much as with the old laws and if they do, the get pinged and they haven't helped their team out in any way.

The super 14 has been better this year than last due to these rules. Northern Hemisphere should just stop whinging and give them a try

Answer 6

They will have massive implications..Wales who have finally starting winning things...with a brand of coaching and coaches that have expertise in a certain way of playing rugby..and now they might as well sack them all.