Brumbies Mark Gerrard flies throgh the air after scoring. AAP Image/Alan Porritt
There has been some discussion (well, debate) on the Roar amongst the various rugby heads about the new rules interpretations being applied in the Super 14 by SANZAR, and how this fits within the global game.
No one seemed quite sure how the IRB would avoid the fiasco of the ELVs, where each hemisphere adopted different parts of the ELVS, and we ended up with a mish mash of rules with no universal rules globally until last year when the “experiment” came to an end.
However, comments by SANZAR head referee honcho Lyndon Bray reported in The Australian this week suggests there is a plan behind all this, even if it wasn’t previously clear to us.
Apparently a number of southern hemisphere referees are being sent north for the Six Nations, but will be applying the new rules interpretations in a more “gradual” way to ease them in given they are mid season.
Based on comments by Ireland defensive coach Les Kiss on this week’s Ruggamatrix, it will be very gradual. He indicated they had been told it would be business as usual with the same interpretations as applied over the November Tests. However, he did indicate he would be watching the first round of the weekend with interest to see if there were any changes.
The IRB is clearly trying to avoid the ELV fiasco again, and the implentation of the laws with such staggered seasons in each hemisphere is a problem. Gradual implementation does make sense, but it also needs to be done in such a way that by the time the hemispheres start facing each other (the June Tests in the south) they will have to be synchronised.
Unfortunately, the ELVs were played out as much in the media and court of public opinion as amongst the administrators, and much of the criticism of them and the reason they failed was perception as much as reality.
As such, I have a horrible suspicion that the IRB is telling each hemisphere what they think they want to hear. The south that the interpretations will be brought in to make the game more attractive, and the north it will be gradual (and probably with a stern eye to make sure these “southern” shenanigans don’t “ruin” the game) to avoid disruption.
Here’s hoping we end up with the rules well bedded in come the middle of this year, and them being played in the new season of the north, and not another slanging match between the hemispheres because each thought something different was going to happen.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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