National Rugby Championship
ARU invites fans to suggest experimental law changes
ESPN Staff
May 19, 2014
Australian officials want players to run more with ball in hand in the National Rugby Championship © Getty Images
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Australian rugby fans have been invited to submit innovative experimental laws for review and potential adoption as part of the inaugural National Rugby Championship when the tournament kicks off in August.

Campaign to Submit Experimental Laws

  • 1. Crowd-sourcing suggestions from fans
  • 2. Short-listing of suggestions by the panel of experts
  • 3. Public vote on the panel's shortlist
  • The social media campaign will run for three to four weeks, starting on Monday 19 May, and will be split into three phases. Any proposed experimental laws must receive clearance from the International Rugby Board before they can be implemented.

Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, former international referee Wayne Erickson, former Wallabies player Rod Kafer and Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, as the experimental law panel, will review the suggestions and shortlist the best to be put to a public vote.

"Collectively, these men have more than a century of professional rugby experience," Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver said of the panel. "Having been involved in the game at club, Super Rugby, international and an administrative level, they all have a deep understanding of what elements are needed to create an entertaining brand of rugby that is exciting to play, coach and most importantly watch.

"Based on the outcomes of their first panel meeting, I know they all recognise the need to maintain the fabric of the game that makes it so great - an understandably critical factor for the International Rugby Board when they review any experimental law submissions.

"I'm confident this will be reflected in the experimental laws we'll be implementing in the National Rugby Championship.

"Already we've seen the impact Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has had in introducing a more creative style of running rugby to our Test team, and this is an attitude we want to foster across all competitions in Australia.

"Similarly, World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer is a strong advocate of evolving the way rugby is played and has a keen desire to see our players playing exciting rugby week in, week out.

"As a former Wallaby and current rugby commentator, Rod Kafer has an incredibly astute rugby brain and we expect him to bring a strong analytical attitude to the table, while Wayne Erickson is regarded as one of rugby's greatest Test officials and, as rugby's first full-time professional referee, has a wealth of knowledge to contribute to the group."

Pulver said the campaign to suggest experimental law campaign through social media presented a terrific opportunity to look at variations that could enhance the entertainment value of rugby.

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