Northern Hemisphere must get on board with new laws

After just four weeks of the experimental laws, the Super 14 is showing that they produce a faster and more action packed game. But the Northern Hemisphere seem reluctant to adopt them, perhaps stuck in a style of rugby from 30 years ago.

After watching the highlights, if they can be called highlights, of the England vs Scotland game from the weekend, I was struck by how dull the game looked. And after an equally dull World Cup final it seems obvious to me that changes are needed to promote more attacking rugby and more tries.

But there seems to be a great deal of opposition to the ELVs from both the media and from the clubs, who control the game up there. And that really begs the question: Why? Are they worried the new laws favour more mobile forward packs and creative backs? Or do they genuinely believe that their product is superior?

From the media’s point of view it would appear to be the latter, take this comment from Sunday Times columnist Stephen Jones: “In Europe, where the sport has never been so popular and where rugby in many styles is thriving, we simply cannot see what is broken and needs fixing.” Perhaps Mr Jones is happy to politely applaud successful goal kicks all day long, but why would he not want to see the skillful breakouts, marvellous handling and brilliant support play that were on show during the Crusaders vs Force game, perhaps the best advert so far for the new laws. Watch Richard Brown’s try for the Force and then tell me you’d rather see Jonny Wilkinson taking shots at goal.

Cricket has been able to shake off its ‘boring’ tag amongst casual fans by embracing the concept of 50 over matches, and more recently the Twenty20 version of the game which is attracting huge money from two competing Indian leagues. Rugby, it seems, has not quite grasped what makes an exciting product just yet.

And then, of course, there is the issue with players having to switch between the old and new laws within the season. Super 14 is being played under the new laws, then there are tests against visiting Northern Hemisphere teams under the old laws, possibly a swtich to the new laws for the Tri-Nations, then back to the old laws for the end of year tours up north. Players could be forgiven for not knowing whether they are coming or going when dealing with that jumble of changes.

The IRB, who push for the Super 14 to trial the new laws, need to decide in which direction they intend to take rugby and either ratify the new laws this year, giving teams two or three seasons to adjust before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, or scrap them entirely