Mitchell: 'Ref's interpretations key'

After two vastly different experiences with the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), Western Force coach John Mitchell is convinced they will play a major part in the outcome of the tournament.

After two vastly different experiences with the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), Western Force coach John Mitchell is convinced they will play a major part in the outcome of the tournament.

The Force were on the receiving end of some baffling decisions during both games, and it will be interesting to see how the referees interpret the ELVs, especially when it comes to the breakdown.

The Force's loss to the Crusaders was followed by an comprehensive 39-15 rout of the Reds in Perth on Thursday, suggesting the Force are coming to terms with the ELVs.

However, Mitchell's men were on both sides of referee James Leckie's interpretations during a see-sawing first half.

After conceding four successive infringements at the breakdown before they had even got their hands on the ball, the Force had more penalties than points to their name before getting used to the ELVs.

They then played the referee to perfection to stifle the Reds' ball and notch up six tries in a confidence-boosting win ahead of a three-game road trip to South Africa.

Mitchell said the two trial games had brought two sharply differing interpretations by the referee in charge – and teams' responses to the ELVs were clearly going to be vital in this year's competition.

“It is going to be a key variable how they determine sanctions at the breakdown and the scrum … we just hope the three countries are very consistent in their approach,” Mitchell said on foxsports.com.au.

“Last week was a very tight contest, and [Thursday] there was no leniency to the tackler off his feet and ruck formed,” Mitchell said after his team's victory over the Reds.

This spells bad news for specialist fetchers such as Richie McCaw and George Smith who will no doubt need a few games to come to terms with the law changes.

“We gave them the first four possessions and you are under the pump.

“But when we got some possession, we got our game in order and held onto the ball for long periods of time,” Mitchell went on to say.

Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said the unrelenting pace the new laws were bringing was the main difference being noted by the players.

“Momentum is pretty big with the new rules, attacking teams certainly have the advantage and any infringement at the breakdown allows teams to get a roll on,” Sharpe said.

“We are one of the teams that have worked pretty hard on our endurance, so whilst we get more and more game fit the better we are going to be with these new rules.

“It is going to take a little bit of adaptation by referees, players and spectators to get used to them.

“It is definitely a lot faster,” Sharpe said.

Pre-season fitness will be of paramount importance in this year's installment of the Super 14.

A point worth noting is that teams are set to run an extra 10km during a game, due to the fact the ball will be in play for an average of 10 minutes longer.

How teams adapt to the ELVs will be revealed when the Crusaders host the Brumbies in the first game of the Super 14 on February 15.