However, the official rugby rules made by the International Rugby Board (IRB) settled the matter.

Based on Game Rugby Union 2009 IRB Laws, the referee can permit one water break on each half of the game. This is on the basis of the weather being very humid or hot that players would need to hydrate themselves to prevent unwanted incidents.

The time lost will then be added on each end of the half. The strict rule is that the water break should not go beyond one minute and that it should take place after a score has been made.

The aforementioned water breaks were initiated by Romain Poite, a French referee. The agreement was reached between two teams regarding the breaks.

Several exciting rugby matches are scheduled to take place this week including the faceoff between Tonga and Samoa on Tuesday, June 23.

The ELVs were introduced by the Rugby Union in November 2006. It is also referred to as the Stellenbosch Laws. The ELVs propose several changes to the current rules of rugby. An example of these rules is as follows:

“If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown of a tackle or ruck the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a free kick” Another rule states that “Should a maul become unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul will receive a free kick.”

At present, only 13 of the original 23 ELVs rules are being used in the international trial. France’s Espoirs Championships will be adding three more.

A final review of the implemented rules will start March 2008. Rules that pass will be officially included in the Rugby Rulebook.