Join the ELVs evolution

rugby365 columnist, and former Springbok centre, Robbie Fleck hopes the Experimental Law Variations will catch on around the world - after all, it could only benefit the game and its global appeal.

As the league phase of the Super 14 nears completion, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the 2008 season.

Not only has it turned into one of the closest competitions we have seen for some time - the Crusaders' dominance aside - but I think the introduction of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) has added a whole new dimension to the Super 14.

As a former Bath player I tend to keep an eye on things up north, but I must say when a Heineken Cup or Guinness Premiership match comes on these days I tend to turn onto the highlights channel or catch an IPL match - it's more entertaining!

Let's face it, the ELVs have helped liven up the Super 14 and the sooner they are introduced up north, the better - although I'm sure ex-England hooker Brian Moore will be dreading that day...

Moore, a columnist in England's Daily Telegraph, slated the ELVs in his latest missive and I must say, it's pretty disappointing to see a respected critic like Moore basically dismiss these new law changes without actually experiencing it properly for himself.

Regular readers of this column would remember how I slated the ELVs after one weekend of the Super 14 and one match into the Varsity Cup - where we played under the full version of the ELVs - but that was more because of a lack of understanding than anything else. I have said as much already and I am something of a convert these days - thanks mainly to me being involved during the Varsity Cup as a coach at UCT.

Give those moaning up north one season under the ELVs and watch how much they will enjoy it.

Could you imagine the top players in France, England, Ireland and Wales playing under the ELVs? Have any of you seen a guy like England flyhalf Danny Cipriani play? He would cook under the ELVs; as would the Welsh backs (Shane Williams and co.), and not to mention Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Geordan Murphy of Ireland - it would be phenomenal.

With the success of the new Twenty20 cricket competition in India (the Indian Premier League), rugby, now, more than ever, needs to become more exciting and simpler to follow, and the ELVs could just help make rugby more attractive to the rest of the world. How exciting would that be?

It's very important that the various role-players across the globe embrace the Experimental Law Variations - the Super 14 is a great example of why. Take the Stormers; Rassie Erasmus and Gary Gold started working on playing under the ELVs last year already, well over three months before the Super 14 even kicked off. The rugby they have played is pulling in sold out crowds at Newlands on a weekly basis and the Stormers brand is booming again - as it was in 1999.

Then, take a look at the Bulls this year - they have not stopped moaning since the start of the Super 14. Where are they on the log?

Do you see my point?

South African teams don't historically cope well with change and the reason the Bulls, the Lions and the Cheetahs find themselves at the bottom of the Super 14 table is directly linked to them not embracing the law changes and therefore not bothering to work on playing under the ELVs.

The Sharks and the Stormers have bright, innovative coaches, all of whom have embraced the ELVs - the other three teams need to do the same, and quickly, or next year could be yet another long and winless Super 14 for them...

My Super 14 predictions for this weekend:

HURRICANES v FORCE:
Friday, May 9 - 9.35am
Wellington

The Force did well to put one over the Chiefs last week, but let's face it, the Chiefs weren't in the best of form.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, had a nice work-out against the Lions last week in their first game back from South Africa.

Fleckie's prediction: 'Canes to edge out the Force and end their semifinal hopes.

BULLS v BRUMBIES:
Friday, May 9 - 7.10pm
Pretoria

It's simple really, if the Bulls dominate up front they will win the match. If somebody matches them physically, however, they tend to struggle.

But like I said last week, the Bulls should be too powerful for Australian teams up front and that allows them to boss the match on their terms.

Fleckie's prediction: The Bulls showed enough last week against the Waratahs to suggest that they can, and will, beat the Brumbies.

HIGHLANDERS v BLUES:
Saturday, May 10 - 9.35am
Dunedin

The Highlanders have just returned to New Zealand after a tough trip in South Africa, which, to be frank, wasn't too successful.

The Blues won well against the Reds in Brisbane last week - after I went with the Reds to win! - and they seem to be doing well with Nacewa at flyhalf and Evans at fullback.

Fleckie's prediction: Blues to win this Kiwi derby.

REDS v CRUSADERS:
Saturday, May 10 - 11.40am
Brisbane

Expect the Reds to put up a good fight, but I cannot see the Crusaders slipping up again during this tournament - they've had their hiccup, this Super 14 is theirs for the taking.

Fleckie's prediction: The Crusaders to win.

SHARKS v CHEETAHS:
Saturday, May 10 - 3pm
Durban

Maybe I was a bit too quick to write the Sharks off - their performance against the Crusaders showed they have some fight in them yet.

Their performance suggested signs of a possible revival, but they still have plenty to prove. For starters, they cannot lose to the Cheetahs, who are a team that just seem unable to win this year, no matter how close they come.

Fleckie's prediction: The Sharks will have enough in the tank to take this one.

LIONS v CHIEFS:
Saturday, May 10 - 5.05pm
Johannesburg

I would love nothing more than the Lions to do their country proud and beat the Chiefs. (I'm pretty sure Dick Muir would want it more!) But I cannot see it happening - the Chiefs surely can't be as bad they were against the Force, after all, they're still chasing hard for a semifinal place.

Fleckie's prediction: The Chiefs to win - setting up a superb finale against the Sharks next week in Durban.

STORMERS v WARATAHS:
Saturday, May 10 - 7.10pm
Cape Town

This fixture has worried me for some time now. It's the game of the weekend, of that there is no doubt, but I am concerned that they bring their 'A-game' to Newlands on Saturday.

They pushed the Bulls hard, in the wet at Loftus, they will be even more prepared to take on the Stormers, a team they have traditionally done well against away from home - the average score between these two teams in South Africa is 27-26 to the Stormers!

Fleckie's prediction: The Stormers are on a high and playing in front of a full house - they will edge out the 'Tahs.

* Oh, and one more thing before I sign off this week - if you're in Cape Town and at a loose end on Friday night make sure you get down to UCT to watch the Ikey Tigers against Stellenbosch in a rematch of the 2008 Varsity Cup Final!

We were gutted after going down in the first-ever final up in Matieland just a few short weeks ago and we'll be looking to set the record straight this time around in the league.

The Maties have started the league well, but we have a game in hand and after a slow start would be better placed after a win over our old enemies at the 'Green Mile'...

Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Fleckie

* Email Fleckie at rugby365@365digital.co.za with your Super 14 picks for this week!

* Fleckie's 'Last Word' will appear weekly on rugby365.com and iafrica.com, so log on next week for more Super 14 views and predictions.