TRI-NATIONS

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Tri-Nations ELVs confirmed

Monday 02nd June 2008

John O'Neill and Robbie Deans: Happy with law decision

The laws under which the 2008 Tri-Nations will be played were unofficially confirmed by Australia CEO John O'Neill on Monday, with new Australia coach Robbie Deans ading he was happy with the decisions made.

The tournament will be played under the Super 14 rules used this year, with the addition of unlimited numbers allowed at the line-out, and with mauls being collapsible by defending teams.

"I believe we've found a resolution over the weekend," said O'Neill at the squad announcements of the Australia and Australia A squads

"I don't know whether it's been announced yet, but we may as well announce it now.

"We'll be playing under the Super 14 ELVs plus the two that the IRB approved: unlimited numbers in the lineout and pulling down the maul.

"I think that's a fairly reasonable outcome, given South Africa and Australia wanted the Super 14 ELVS - particularly the sanctions - as a pivotal part of the ELVs.

"And we would have to, in the November tour to the northern hemisphere, embrace unlimited numbers in the lineout and pulling down the maul, in any case.

"So putting them into the Tri-Nations, I think, is a pretty sensible compromise and I thank everyone involved in that process for getting on the same page."

The ELVs, designed to improve the game as a spectacle and to reduce the number of penalty kicks at goal in favour of running moves, were trialled at the Australian Rugby Championship last year, and have been used in South Africa's Vodacom Cup this year.

A curtailed version of the laws was used for this year's Super 14.

Deans said it was a relief for coaches and players alike that SANZAR powerbrokers had had finally reached a resolution on the implementation of the ELVs.

"It's just to know where the line in the sand is," he said after naming Australia's 30-man squad for the upcoming home Tests with Ireland and France.

"From a coaching perspective and a playing perspective, that's all we need to know with it."