Hate the ELVs, here's your chance to have a little moan about it, thanks to a petition being run on line - but find out a few fact before you do.  To start with, where the ELVs idea started - at IRB central, in the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, with just one Aussie involved - so the 'Aussie league conspiracies' camp can shove their argument up their arse to start with!  Find out the main players leading the ELVs here.  His Bobness, as per usual, also offers a more balanced view of proceedings, read his thought here.  Now read on for more about the petition.  Debate, as per usual, in the forum.

There has been a petition started by those who feel the worldwide introduction of the Experimental Law Variations is a disgraceful and misguided move by the IRB. The petition is in its infancy and has only a handful of signatures but if fans from all over the world were prepared to spend just a minute or two putting their name to it, perhaps the IRB will finally listen to the voice of the people who support rugby union.

The petition can be found here.

The petition does not ask for any information other than your name (which can be kept anonymous if you wish). There are other boxes in which you can input more information about yourself, but these are totally optional and can be left blank if you prefer.

For anyone that uses Facebook, the following groups have been established to unite those who wish to fight this decision:

SH fans ('A Protest against Rugby's new ELV Super 14/Sanzar Laws' - largely populated by fans from the SH)

NH fans ('Save Rugby from the ELVs - primarily populated by NH fans)

Please join both these groups if you use Facebook, and if you are a member of any other rugby forum (perhaps for the club or provincial team that you support) please post the link to the petition on their forum and try to attract as many people as possible.

Whilst there are some who feel that certain new rules have merit, this wholesale change approach is not the way to address any current problems in the game of rugby union. Any new rules should be debated and discussed on an individual basis, rather than a wave of new regulations which, as a whole, will have the effect of transforming the game we love into something wholly unrecognisable.

Our game is at a crossroads; shall we sacrifice contested forward play and accept the downgrading (and possibly death) of key set pieces like the maul and the line out, all based on the misguided notion that this will create a more free-flowing game that will be a more attractive FINANCIAL product? Or shall we fight the IRB every step of the way to retain our wonderful, honourable game the way it is?

Every fan, of every club, from every nation, has the opportunity to make their choice. I ask each of you to make your voice heard - please sign the petition.
Sign here

The IRB statement announcing the worldwide trial of many of the ELVs can be seen here ELVs trial

The thoughts of former All Black Josh Kronfeld on the ELVs Kronfeld spouts

Current IRB World Player of the Year and World Cup winner Bryan Habana on the ELVs Habana huffs