Stellenbosch Laws

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The Stellenbosch Laws are experimental law variations (ELVs) in rugby union, a proposed set of amendments to the laws of the game that are under consideration by the governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB has a set of procedures for proposing, trialling and implementing ELVs, which usually result in two or three small changes every three or four years, such as changing the way scrums are set and replacing penalty kicks at goal with "short-arm" free kicks for a number of infringements, implemented in November 2006.^[1] The Stellenbosch ELVs by contrast comprise a larger number of more radical changes. The (IRB) trialled games at Stellenbosch University in South Africa using the experimental laws in 2006. The term 'Stellenbosch Laws' was first used by the rugby writer Spiro Zavos.^[2]

Contents 1 The need for law amendments 2 Panel 3 Laws 4 Trials 4.1 Feedback from trials 5 References 6 External links

The need for law amendments

The Laws of Rugby Union stretch to approximately 150 pages, much of them covering the contest for possession and continuity of play, key features of the union code developed more extensively than in other forms of football. The contest for possession in or after a tackle is complex and so are the laws governing it.^[1] Rugby League and American Football, for example, overcome this by abolishing it — play stops after a successful tackle. In union it continues but in practice often halts through law infringements, with different referees using different interpretations, resulting in games being decided by penalty goals and even by referees' interpretations. The Stellenbosch ELVs are based on proposals made in 2005 or earlier, and came to wider prominence following the 2007 Rugby World Cup when outgoing IRB president Syd Millar explained the amendments were needed because defences were on top and slow the continuity of play by delaying the release of the ball from the contest for possession. This was illustrated in the knockout stages of the tournament, and exemplified by a dour final match in which no tries were scored. He said that the game needs to be sped up a bit, to make it easier to play, easier to referee, easier to understand and to produce more options for the players. The amendments concentrate notably on rucks and mauls, but include other aspects which help keep the ball in play and reduce stoppages for infringements and penalties.^[3]

Panel

The Stellenbosch Laws were devised on behalf of the IRB by Rod Macqueen who coached the 1999 World Cup winning Australian side, Pierre Villepreux of France, Richie Dixon of Scotland and Ian McIntosh of South Africa. The experiment is managed by the IRB's referees manager Paddy O'Brien of New Zealand, a former Test referee.

Laws

The proposed law amendments are:

• In the original version of the laws, players were allowed to use their hands at all times at the breakdown. A slightly different rule, prohibiting hands in the ruck but making it only a short-arm penalty, has been trialled as well. The final rule regarding hands in the ruck has not been established. In any event, players must come into the breakdown in an onside position, and only players who are on their feet are allowed to play the ball. The side that takes the ball into the breakdown and will not release it is penalised.
• 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.
• Either side can use as many players as they like in the lineout, at any time, providing they fit inside the 15-metre line.
• The opposing hooker in a lineout no longer has to stand between the 5-metre line and touchline; he can stand anywhere he wishes as long as he conforms to the laws.
• On a quick throw in the ball can be thrown straight or back towards the defenders' goal line, but not forward towards the opposition goal line.
• Touch judges are to become "flag referees" with a primary responsibility of policing the offside lines.
• Penalty kicks at goal (long-arm penalties) are to be given only for offside and foul play. All other penalties are short-arm penalties (free kicks, with the option of taking a scrum as in the current laws), which cannot be used for a kick at goal or a drop 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, the 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 can 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, will be removed. Under the current laws, a try is disallowed if a player touches the corner flag while attempting to touch the ball down, even if his body and the ball are not in touch.

Trials

After the initial trials at Stellenbosch University, the laws are being trialled in:

• Scotland's Super Cup tournament for Premiership teams from January 2007
• Cambridge University in the first division of their inter-college league
• England's County Championship
• The Shute Shield in New South Wales
• Brisbane club competitions
• The Australian Rugby Championship, in response to the popular feedback received from the NSW and Queensland club competitions^[4]
• The international Super 14 competition in 2008.^[3]

The South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions requested that the laws be introduced to the Tri Nations in 2008 as well^[5] but Syd Millar has said the results in the Super 14, which is "near enough international level", need to be studied before use in matches between nations can be sanctioned.^[3]

Feedback from trials

Use of the ELVs in the 2007 Australian Rugby Championship was deemed an overall success.^[6] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation which broadcasts most of the games said general reactions by coaches, players, and fans was overwhelmingly positive, with these specific details reported:^[6]

• The ball spent more time in play, producing a faster game.
• Fewer penalties (kicks at goal) were given.
• More free kicks ("short-arm penalties", meaning no kick at goal) were awarded, but were usually run instantly, producing quick play-ons.
• "Some uncertainty lingers" over the rule allowing the maul to be pulled down, as it "negates to an extent a quintessential element of the game".
• Fewer kicks were made into touch on the full from inside the 22.
• The short kicking game (with the ball not going into touch) was employed more extensively than usual.

References

External links

• Rewriting rugby's laws
• Story on trial of proposed law changes in England
• Spiro Zavos expands on the impact of the Stellenbosch Laws