The thing about commenting on a topical issue is that no one listens unless you’ve got either an outlandish opinion or you point fingers – why do you think David Campese still gets asked for comments?

That is why I just roll my eyes when I read the criticisms being leveled at the new laws being trialed to various degrees throughout the rugby world. Rugby luminaries and, in particular, the “blazer brigade” in the northern hemisphere – none of whom are actually playing anymore – think the ELV’s are destroying rugby and all seem to want a return to the glory days when rugby was “the running game”.

You know what they say about opinions and a***holes – everyone has got one (and yes, I do see the irony of calling them a***holes while giving my own opinion in the same breath).

The major criticism of the Super 14 (where most of the laws have been introduced) is that there is more kicking. The result of certain changes is that teams punt the ball down the field and then defend until the opposition gives away a penalty or turns the ball over. It comes down to dominating field position. But rugby has always been about field position. Watch Test matches from 20 years ago (I have ESPN Classic so I watch quite a few) and you’ll be amazed at how little “running” rugby there is. Lineout, kick, lineout, scrum, reset scrum, reset scrum, penalty, three points, kickoff (repeat for 80 minutes).

'No brainer'

What I like about the new laws is that they have tried to make rugby more of a spectacle by increasing the amount the ball is in play. For me this is a no brainer. Time waiting for lineouts, scrums or kickers lining up a shot at goal is dead time.

I also like the changes that encourage innovation. For example allowing any number of players in the lineout forces tradeoffs on the field; if you commit nine players to defending a lineout when your opponent commits four and you don’t win the ball - you are in trouble out wide. This is good for the game as even those teams that do a huge amount of preparation can never be sure what the opposition will do.

The idea behind free kicks for some offences is also a good one – teams are obliged to do something other than kick the ball out or take a shot at goal. The problem is how to reduce the incentive to kick the ball away and this is where I run into problems. I suppose we could make a penalty kick worth two points instead of three, but I haven’t really got a workable solution.

Which leads me to why I’m frustrated with those a***holes that just criticise. I actually think the ELV’s are a good idea. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like all of them and it is clear some didn’t turn out as expected, but I can see what the law makers intended and I like what they are trying to do.

As far as I am concerned the game has to change to become a truly world game. I would focus on cleaning up the breakdown if I were a lawmaker but the ELV’s are not a bad start. The administrators would do us all a favour by sticking their opinions up their a**** and occasionally sticking their necks out on an issue - rather than clinging blindly to the status quo.

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