Rassie philosophical over ELVs

Editor

The Stormers have taken great care to make sure they are prepared for the new law changes that will be enforced in this year's Super 14.

The Stormers have taken great care to make sure they are prepared for the new law changes that will be enforced in this year's Super 14.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has been a busy man behind the scenes in his reasonably short stint in charge of the Stormers, preparing his Stormers for an assault on the Super 14, which commences against the Bulls on Saturday.

Erasmus commented on the relevance of the so-called Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) and explained to rugby365 how he interpreted the changes.

“For us, the only thing that would really speed up the game is the free kick. All the other rules don't really speed up the game.”

“I guess the only other law that makes the game faster is the kicking law, where you receive the ball inside your 22 from outside your 22, and you can't kick it out on the full,” continued Erasmus.

“Some teams might decide to counter-attack from that, and some teams might decide to kick it down field.

“So I think the free kicks, for me, is the stand-out thing. Teams might play more expansive and take the chance there, but some teams might play more conservative.”

Erasmus also felt that fitness would be paramount if the full extent of the law variations were applied.

“I think if we played with all the new ELVs, then conditioning would become even more important. It is already important, but it would become even more so.”

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers added his opinion to his team's preparations with respect to the law variations.

“I think our work ethic is fantastic.

“Obviously attention to detail is something we need as a team. We've worked hard on it, and hopefully we can implement that in the game on Saturday.”

When asked whether the Stormers were fitter than last year, De Villiers cracked a smile.

“I'd like to think so, yes,” replied the skipper.

De Villiers also confirmed that his injury problems were a thing of the past – for now.

By Phil Coetzer