Carter and McCaw enjoying ELVs

Crusaders kingpins Dan Carter and Richie McCaw say they're enjoying the new Experimental Law Variations which, in Carter's opinion, suit the New Zealanders' style of play. However, the Cantabrians are very wary of the Stormers team they'll face on Friday.

Crusaders kingpins Dan Carter and Richie McCaw say they're enjoying the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) which, in Carter's opinion, suit the New Zealanders' style of play. However, the Cantabrians are very wary of the Stormers team they'll face on Friday.

Carter believes that the new ELVs have “really opened the game up” and allow for “a more free-flowing style of play” that suits the New Zealand teams, as opposed to the more structured, defensive-orientated style most South African teams prefer.

The All Blacks and Crusaders fly-half thinks that the most significant change brought about by the new laws concerns the extra space given to back-lines at scrum time.

“As a fly-half the extra five metres at the scrum is a real bonus,” Carter told Planet Rugby in Cape Town.

“The new scrum gives more attacking opportunities than the original scrum so it's easier to get over the gain-line.

“Also, there are a lot of free kicks, often if you lose it, a team takes a quick tap. As a player, that benefits my style of play.”

McCaw agrees that the extra five metres at the scrum has had a big impact. He believes that new laws will benefit the more “accurate” sides.

“Having the backs standing five meters back has made it a lot more difficult for loose forwards to defend,” said McCaw.

“The refs have been pretty hard on sides that are taking balls into mauls and not getting them out. I think the laws favour teams that play more accurately.

“They've also been hard on the tackler getting out of the way, which is the way rugby should be played.

“But the new laws haven't drastically changed the way we approach the game.”

The Crusaders will run out against the Stormers with the memory of their last visit to Newlands fresh in their minds.

Although they went on to become 2006 Super 14 champions, their shock defeat at the hands of the Cape Town-based side has left its mark.

“The Stormers are a team that worry me,” said Carter.

“Although they haven't yet put on any great performances this year, they've got the players capable of doing it. They've shown in the past they can get up for a game and be top class.

“Two years ago they did exactly that. They gave us a good beating.”

Carter admits that his side “took things a little lightly” when they arrived in Cape Town two years ago as an undefeated side.

“That was a big wake-up call for us,” he said.

“If we put ourselves in their [current] position, they lost the first two games and they'll be hungry and will do anything to get their campaign on the road, so we're not taking them lightly.

“Newlands is always a daunting place to play. They've got great support. It's all very closed-in and the spectators are close to the field.

“Most places in South Africa are extremely proud of their home team and extremely vocal. But personally that just lifts me.”

Commenting on the home team, McCaw notes that the Stormers forwards have “definitely improved”.

As for the loose forwards he'll do battle with, the absence of Schalk Burger and who his replacement will be, he doesn't seem too concerned as to who runs out.

“Schalk is a big loss. You know when he's on the field,” said McCaw.

“Luke [Watson] seems pretty settled at number eight. Like us I'm sure they've got guys who can slot in [at flank].

“I haven't really thought about it, you're only really as good as what's in front of you,” said the Crusaders flank, hinting that he believes the Crusaders will win the duel of the big men.

“Stormers have definitely improved up-front. The South African sides always pride themselves on their muscle up-front and we're going to have to match that.”

After last week's drubbing of the Bulls, the Crusaders are full of confidence and the All Blacks in the squad are relishing being part of the competition from the start.

“Last week wasn't that easy. We had to defend pretty well for half an hour to stay in it. The altitude didn't really affect us. It's not an excuse anymore, the guys are professionals,” said McCaw.

“It wasn't easy coming back [in the middle of the campaign last year]. The excitement levels of the guys are pretty high and you can see that this year.”

Carter added: “It's great to be back and start the competition.

“It's so important to be part of pre-season training so you can create combinations.

“It does help when you've got a solid core to your squad,” added the fly-half who admits however that the absence of the All Blacks last year did help develop some other players like Stephen Brett.

With the Crusaders already the stand-out favourites to win the Super 14 after only two rounds, Carter is reluctant to name the teams he thinks will be their main competition come the end of May.

“It's too early to tell. The important thing is to get a good start and build some momentum to be sure you'll be there at the end,” he said.

“The Blues are playing well. The beauty of this competition is that anyone can beat any team on their day. There's no team you can take lightly.”

Commenting on the up-coming departure of coach Robbie Deans for Australia, Carter acknowledges that he will be very hard to replace.

“[Deans] is an extremely experienced and successfully coach, so he knows how to win,” he said.

“He's still relatively young in terms of coaches so he gets on well with all the players.

“He brings out the best in players. He encourages young guys who come into the squad to just play their game.”