Robbie Deans

Crusaders and incoming Australia coach Robbie Deans wants to see the Tri-Nations played under the Experimental Law Variations.

Deans, who will take up his role with the Wallabies at the start of next month, believes the rugby public and players would benefit from having continuity after eight of the 23 ELVs were trialled during this year's Super 14 competition.

Deans said: "The public are familiar with them now and have embraced them."

He added: "There's been some good rugby so in the SANZAR market it would be logical to see this season out because it gives you continuity.

"Where we go next can be decided globally, hopefully."

The fear that the ELVs would fundamentally change the nature of the game has also been unfounded, says Deans.

Instead the coach feels it has promoted attacking rugby, while still maintaining the importance of the set-piece because of the option of a free-kick or scrum instead of a penalty for most infringements.

"There's a little bit of difference in so far as the ball can be in play a little bit longer and that teams that want to can choose to take the initiative if they want to and take quick free-kicks.

"As we've gone through the (Super 14) competition and got to the business end, the game has become less and less discernible from what was there before which is good because there is scope for teams to be attacking and positive.

"If the pendulum has swung slightly in any way back towards the team that's prepared to attack that's good."