A new shot of ELVs: The Concord Laws

 

Roar Guru

By rugbyfuture, 23 Nov 2009 rugbyfuture is a Roar Guru

Tagged:

 ELVs, IRB, Law Variations, Rugby Union

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From this current spring tour I just read an article over on Rugby Heaven, telling of how the northern hemisphere is starting to wake up to the problem with rugby today.

As a person who chooses sides and is stubborn about it I hope, one day, the IRB will wake up and listen to the public, implementing some form of ELV’s. Many professionals however had a problem with the last set put forward.

For the consideration of the Roar’s crowd, I have tried to look at and understand the current ELV’s and tried to alleviate some of the problems seen by those opposed to the laws, as well as fix some more contemporary issues.

I have tried to contain differences between the forwards and backs, whilst making it a progressive and flowing game at the same time.

These new laws are based on varying the original ELV’s and if I get some of these ideas wrong, pardon, but I only played for my school’s lowest team as a tighthead prop.

The Concord Laws (named for the failed NSWRU stadium in Sydney…and a bit of pizazz):
• Players must come into the breakdown in an onside position, and only players who are on their feet are allowed to play the ball, which can only be handled with hands if it, or the arms of the player carrying it, have not touched the ground.

• The ball if not recycled in play is given to the last team seen handling it. If this cannot be seen it is given to the opposing side.
• At the scrum, all backs except for the two scrum-halves must be at least 5 metres behind the hindmost foot of the scrum, instead of level with it as allowed in the current laws.

• At the lineout, all players not in the lineout except for the two scrum-halves and hooker must be at least 5 metres behind the lineout.

• In the lineout either side can use as many forwards as they like, providing they fit between the 5-metre line and the 15-metre line.

• The opposing hooker in a lineout has to stand between the 5-metre line and touchline.

• On a quick throw in the ball can be thrown straight or back towards the defenders’ goal line, but not forwards towards the opposition goal line.

• Where touch judges are trained referees, they will be referred to as assistant referees, with responsibility for policing the offside lines.

• Penalty kicks are generally to be given only for offside and foul play. Most other penalties will become free kicks (disallowing placed), with the option of taking a scrum as in the current laws, which cannot be used for a kick at goal or a dropped goal.

• If the ball is passed or run back into the 22 and then kicked out on the full before a tackle, ruck or maul is effected, the resulting lineout is taken from where the kick was made. However, if the kick bounces into touch, the lineout is taken from where the ball went into touch, as in the present laws.

• The maul cannot be collapsed by defending sides without incurring a penalty if the forward momentum of the attacking side has been neutralised or reversed.

• The corner flag, currently situated where the try line meets the touchline, is part of the field of play. Under the current laws, a try is disallowed if a player touches the corner flag while attempting to touch the ball down.

• A kick at goal, in any occasion counts as 2 points. Rather than the current 3 for a penalty goals or drop goals.

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