Rugby's Big Shots Stomp on New Sanctions

It was announced today that a conference of Union members, refereeing bodies and playing associations has recommended several Rugby Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) to the IRB to be passed into law.

For the most part, it seems they have kept the fairly harmless ones—although the 5-metre offside line has been criticized of late—such as law 6 or law 22 (see below), as well as legalising the things everyone did anyway (i.e. squint throws at quick lineouts, pre-gripping and lifting).

The two “major” ones—dropping rolling mauls and unequal numbers at the lineout—will be thrown out with the bathwater in an attempt to keep forwards in the pack and free up more space in midfield.

Anything that gives our beleaguered backs an edge is to be applauded. Although it is not yet official, it seems to be set in stone that the IRB would not go against these recommendations.

So, Munster and Italy will be happy, however, the “everything’s a free kick” sanctions are pending further review after being used for a trial period in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hopefully that one get’s the heave-ho, too.

Instead, let's get back to refereeing the laws that are in place like squint feeds, consistency at the breakdown, etc.

ELVs recommended to be passed into law

Law 6 —Assistant referees allowed
Law 19—Kicking directly into touch from ball played back into 22 equals. No gain in ground
Law 19—Quick throw permitted in any direction except forward
Law 19—Positioning of player in opposition to the player throwing-in to be two metres away from line-out and the line of touch
Law 19—Pre-gripping of line-out jumpers allowed
Law 19—Lifting in the line-out allowed
Law 19—Positioning of receiver must be two metres away from line-out
Law 20—Five-metre offside line at the scrum
Law 20—Scrum-half offside line at the scrum
Law 22—Corner posts no longer touch in goal

ELVs not recommended

Law 17—Maul, head and shoulders not to be lower than hips
Law 17—Maul, pulling down the maul
Law 19—Freedom for each team to determine line-out numbers

ELVs sent for further examination

Sanctions and free-kicks