Rugby-New laws should create open spectacle, Henry says

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON, July 4 (Reuters) - The International Rugby Board's Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) should create an open match between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday, weather permitting, according to All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

The match in Wellington is the first international to be played under the new rules, which were trialled in the Super 14.

Although both sides played their three earlier internationals this season under the existing laws, Saturday's opening Tri-nations match will allow for the ELVs to be used.

The changes were designed to speed the game up, though Henry said the weather, which is expected to turn sour on Saturday, could play a part in whether or not the game was free-flowing.

"The five metres back from the scrum and ability to throw the ball in quickly and back towards your own goal line will quicken up the game," Henry told reporters on Friday.

"I think it's a more athletic game but whether the weather conditions are conducive to that we will have to see.

"The big thing about ELVs is the tackle area still and the refereeing of the tackle area. If the refereeing is accurate and the team plays well in that area and is highly skilled then that increases the spectacle of the game."

The All Blacks, who have struggled at the lineout in recent years, are likely to take advantage of the new laws that allow quick throw-ins and different numbers in the lineout to try and negate the aerial threat of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.