The survey was intended to accurately gauge player sentiment following the introduction of the ELVs that were trialled during the Super 14.
Piet Heymans, CEO of the South African Rugby Players' Association believes the survey gives a clear indication of the direction in which the world game must move.
"The survey is a significant confirmation that the ELV's are contributing to a more entertaining game," says Heymans.
"We need to bring the Northern Hemisphere up to speed with these exciting changes."
The results of the survey were as follows:
1. Of the 264 players who completed the survey: 93 were Australian, 98 were New Zealanders and 73 were South African.
2. 90% of the players believe the ELVs are either very or relatively easy to understand.
3. 88% of the players believe the ELVs have created more continuity in play.
4. There is conjecture and mixed response amongst the players as to whether the ELVs have made the breakdown easier to understand.
5. 87% of the players believe the law variation requiring defending backs to stand more than five metres back from the scrum is a positive for the game.
6. 85% of players believe the free kick experimental law variation has had an overall positive impact on the game. This is significant given the IRB's recent decision to introduce laws variations from 1 August this year that do not include this free kick variation.
7. 82% of players believe the ELV concerning a player passing the ball back beyond his own 22 metre line has been very or somewhat positive for the game.
8. 83% of players surveyed believe the ELV's have had either a very or somewhat positive impact on the game of rugby overall. Only 10% of the players thought that the ELVs have a very or somewhat negative impact on the game. 7% felt no difference.
9. 76.5% of players support the ELV's being used in the Tri-Nations.
