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Shaun Edwards has written a number of Guardian articles fiercely criticising the ELVs. [/b]
Shaun Edward's has written a number of Guardian articles which consist of nothing but A-Grade Bullshit about mythical Super 14 B competions and Basketball fiercely criticising the ELVs.[/b][/quote]
You see, this is the problem. He's written an negative article about the ELVs, so therefore he must be either:
- Nuts.
- Insane.
- Stupid.
- Full of bullshit.
- Obviously biased against the SH.
- Out to get you.
These doubters aren't seen as people to be won over, they're seen as
maniacs. Sticks in the mud who'll only cause more trouble unless they're shouted down and made to go home with their tails tucked between their legs. Maybe you should have said:
Shaun Edwards does have some serious reservations about the ELVs, but I'm sure if he sat down and read them and saw for himself how they're used in real life, he'll come around to see the positive side of the ELVs.[/b]
Don't be so defensive all the time, you're meant to be selling the idea, not biting people's heads off. While Steve would be breakdancing his way out of iRB HQ, you'd be doing your presentation:
<iRB board member> So, Mr Ripper, your views on the new rules for the tackle area ar-
<Ripper> What do you mean you don't like them?! Haven't you seen them?! You're against me! YOU'RE ALL AGAINST ME! YOU ALL HATE THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE! FULL OF ****! YOU'RE ALL FULL OF ****! *storms out*
...quite.
One fact which I think we have
all missed out on is that the ELVs provide a rather sneaky platform for those from both the NH and SH to take snide and petty little shots at each other. In a way, there is a bit of morbid paranoia about the other side in all of us. However, don't let it get in the way of sensible discussion. Remember that Warren Gatland, a firm admirer of Shaun Edwards, also has some critisism of the ELVs. Could we at least be nice to him rather than jump all over him like raging banshees covered in napalm?
I understand that conspiracy theories run rampant, but does the "Australian plot" actually hold water?
My recollection of events is that IRB president Syd Millar recommended new amendments. Syd Millar was an Irish international and a British Lion. Sorry, not an Okker.
The IRB subsequently established the LPG (Laws Project Group). The IRB LPG chairman was Bill Nolan, the Scottish Council Member of the IRB. With me so far...? That's an Irishman and a Scot -- in agreement with one another -- and somehow the Irish and English, as your firsthand witness above attests, have their heels dug in that this is an Australian plot. O-kay, nobody said conspiracy theories had to make sense for them to gain momentum. Moving on...
The Vice-Chairman of the IRB LPG is Bill Beaumont. Bill's not an Okker, either. He's English, and another British Lion. Sorry whizzkids, but looking at this from the top down, it's hard to see the underpinnings of an Australian plot here.
The rest of the IRB LPG included Pierre Villepreux (France), Rod MacQueen (Australia), Ian McIntosh (South Africa), Richie Dixon (Scotland), and Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand).
On the balance of things, I'd say the initiative and development of these laws is international, and more from the side of NH unions than it is Sanzar, to say anything of appointing the blame solely on the ARU and the weakened Wallaby scrum.[/b]
It still doesn't change the fact that on the 17th of March, the Australian Rugby Union stated that it wanted the iRB "to introduce experimental rule changes across the board by 1 September." At that time, the iRB would not be drawn on the issue and instead said that it wanted to merely "encourage" the NH to "trial" with the ELVs at club level. It is important to remember that while the LPG have agreed on these revisions, neither they nor the iRB are not actively pushing for change. That is the remit of their membernations, not theirs. Do not confuse agreeing on a set of rules with wholehearted endorsement and full positive backing. Again, that is for the member Unions and not the iRB.
Thus, you can see why Australia, England and Wales are not sitting on their hands about this. They are actively lobbying for as hard as the WRU and RFU are lobbying against. Thus, it makes for a very interesting meeting on the 1st of May.
EDIT: Going through the RFU Grassroots survey (yes, all the grassroots rugby players/coaches are insane/full of sh*t too) and I've counted at least five instances where the proposed ELV is merely a call for the existing rule to be more tightly implemented. I've counted three instances where the Scrum has been removed as an option, in law 5.07 covering unplayable ball at the breakdown, Law 6.03 on the issue of an unplayable scrum and Law 8.01 on punishing offenses to do with kick offs and restart kicks. And Law 5.09 is reformed with a strict outlining of the place of penalties in the ELV structure in three bullet points.
I took the survey, but while I'm not going to divulge what I chose, you may be pretty surprised.
To take the survey, go to
http://www.rfusurvey.co.uk.
