Country Rugby Teams Frozen Out Of Elvs Revolution

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday February 2, 2008

Phol Wilkins

FORMER Waratahs lock Peter Besseling has called on NSW Country Rugby Union to have the International Rugby Board slash the red tape delaying the Australia-wide introduction of the experimental law variations.

The farcical situation has developed where the ELVs or so-called Stellenbosch laws will be implemented in this year's Super 14 tournament and in first and reserve grade in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra club premierships, but not by other states or by lower-grade teams.

NSWRU referees manager, Ron Mancell, has warned that if a club or team plays under the ELVs without permission, "you are not playing rugby, and there are big insurance and legal issues for referees and players if your zone should go ahead".

The ludicrous contradiction has arisen following inquiries about the possibility of the ELVs being introduced for premiership rugby in NSW's Mid North Coast zone.

The ELVs were trialled and contributed to the outstanding success of the Australian Rugby Championship last year when coach John McKee's Central Coast Rays came from last to win the tournament in its inaugural season.

Although the Australian Rugby Union had budgeted for a loss, the $5 million deficit led to the regrettable demise of the ARC.

Besseling, now president of Port Macquarie Pirates, reigning champions of the Mid North Coast zone, said: "I find it demeaning that we are being told that these new laws are good enough for Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane, but not for Country NSW.

"I think we should apply to the IRB, through NSW Country Rugby Union, to play our matches with the inclusion of the ELVs.

"If these laws are being trialled to gauge their benefits and drawbacks in typical rugby game situations then surely they must be experimented at all levels of rugby, not just the higher-standard games. As we are all aware, games played at our level differ significantly from premiership rugby in terms of fitness, skill and training, and we should be given the opportunity to trial them, even if we are the only zone in NSW to do so.

"These laws have been designed to speed up the game and to make it more interesting to both players and spectators alike. Why are our supporters and players being denied the opportunity to improve our game?

"With the support of NSW Country, the NSW Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union, I'm sure that we can present a strong case to the IRB for inclusion of the ELVs. But only if we get support."

In correspondence from NSW Rugby to the executive officer of the MNC, Desmond Hoy, Mancell said that the zone could not play under the ELVs without IRB authorisation - "and that will not be forthcoming".

"Where this approval has been granted, all of the ELVs have to be played, not just those being played in Super 14," Mancell wrote.

It is clear from its tardiness and antiquated decision-making processes, the IRB is keeping rugby union in the dark ages and failing to let in some welcome sunshine.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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