The scrum has emerged as the most deadly try-scoring weapon under the experimental law variations in this year's Super 14, according to Australian Rugby Union figures after the first four rounds.

The revelation should shock critics of the ELVs in the northern hemisphere, who suspected the International Rugby Board initiative on trial in the Super 14 would prove the laws degrade the importance of the scrum.

However, the ARU statistics show the opposite, with the scrum moving up from being the third most effective catalyst to tries, overtaking turnovers and the lineout to become the paramount source of tries for teams.

Whereas last year after 14 rounds, 19 per cent of tries came from scrums, after the first four rounds this year, 25 per cent of five-pointers have been scored off them, 21 per cent off turnovers and 20 per cent off lineouts.

It is a reversal on last season when ELVs were not used, and statistics revealed that the best platform for scoring tries was the lineout with a 31 per cent rate, against turnovers (29 per cent) and the scrum (19 per cent).

Other statistics after four rounds this year show 17 per cent of tries came from quick taps - against 8 per cent last year, 13 per cent from a kick (against 12 per cent) and 4 per cent from restarts (against 1 per cent).

ARU high performance manager Pat Howard yesterday urged the Six Nations unions to examine the latest figures before meeting with the IRB's ELV project group in London on March 27 and 28 to discuss them.

"I understand the northern hemisphere aspect on this, but they have to go and have a look at the laws and go, 'Righto, there are more scrums and less lineouts.' That is the pure fact," he said.

The increase in tries from scrums is linked to the ELVs requiring all backs - except the No.9 - to remain five metres behind the hindmost foot of the scrum base, and their rise in number from an average of 20 per game to 21. Meanwhile, the number of lineouts has dropped from 31 a game after 14 rounds last year to 26 after four rounds.

So, sides with a powerful scrum who use the laws well will be rewarded rather than hindered as critics feared.

"Scrums [in Super 14] are up slightly, and coupled with that is the 5m of extra space. The number of tries being scored off-scrum is particularly significant," Howard said.

"But I am not overly surprised. We thought the 5m [law] would give you that extra space, real momentum off first phase. If you have a good scrum, it is being rewarded if it is moving forward. You get real momentum."

Wallabies and Waratahs hooker Adam Freier believes the northern hemisphere outlook on the ELVs is unfounded - especially the view that they are aimed at helping the often maligned Australian scrum perform better.

"I can't see what the merit is in the northern hemisphere sides thinking that. The scrum is still such a huge contest, and one that is so important we can get right in Australian rugby," Freier said.

"If anything, each scrum counts even more, the contest is even more intense."

If the ELVs had been on trial in the Six Nations, Howard believes England, who pride themselves on their scrum, would have beaten Scotland rather than lost 15-9 as they did in their game at Murrayfield last weekend.

"England has a good scrum. But they would actually like these laws. They have the players who would be suited to them," Howard said.

"The game was decided on penalties. Under these laws, it wouldn't have been."

Despite the ELVs having heightened the importance of the scrum, sped up match play and encouraged counter-attack and greater use of the turnover ball out wide, Howard believes the game itself is ostensibly the same.

"There is not a vast difference or massive leap away, just a significant shift [in] positiveness of the game," he said.

Other statistics show minimal change that should not make adaptation difficult for the northern hemisphere sides. Rucks and mauls have risen from 137 a game to only 141 after four rounds, as have turnovers at the ruck from 11 to 14. In general play, free kicks have increased from two a game to 16, and penalties are down from 19 to 12.

Passes averaged 228 a game last year, against 223 so far; while kicks compare from 51 to 53 this year. Time for ball in play is almost the same - 33 minutes last year compared with 34 minutes. But some teams are extending that to 39 minutes.

It has been noticed as match fitness increased in rounds three and four, so too did skill levels and tries scored.