Deans excited by new rules

Crusaders (& Wallabies) coach Robbie Deans has predicted that the new rules being brought into the Super 14 will revolutionise the game and take the game to another level in 2008.

Deans says that the Aussies will have a slight advantage over the other teams as they had a brief taste of the experimental law variations (ELVs) in the Australian Rugby Championship which has now been cancelled.

“It’s going to be a fascinating competition,” Deans told the Herald Sun.

“The ELVs obviously are going to be a big part of that. There’s no doubt they’re going to make a positive difference to the game.”

“There’s going to be a lot more movement, a lot more ball in play time, there’s going to be a lot more tries scored.

“We’ll see the game go to another level, I’ve got no doubt.”

Deans had a taster of the new rules last on Friday when the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 55-33 and his second taster comes on Saturday night in Melbourne against Perth’s Western Force in a pre-season trial match at Olympic Park.

He expects the Force (and all of the Aussie teams) to have a better understanding of the ELVs with most of their players being exposed to them last year.