Super 14 players have overwhelmingly backed rugby's experimental laws as the Wallabies prepare to reacquaint themselves with the new rules in their Saturday's Tri-Nations series opener.

Rugby's "experimental law variations", trialled during this year's Super 14 competition, have been the source of plenty of controversy in the northern hemisphere and the International Rugby Board in May could only rubber stamp a watered down version for a worldwide trial, which begins next month.

The Tri-Nations is being played under a different set of laws to both - those trialled in the Super 14 plus two extra rules which allow unlimited numbers in the lineout and the pulling down of mauls.

But the results of a survey released on Wednesday by the players' associations in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have overwhelmingly endorsed the Super 14 experience.

Almost 90 per cent of the 260 players who responded said the laws were easy to understand and result in more continuity, while 83 per cent said the ELVs had been a positive for rugby.

And the most contentious innovation - the replacement of most penalties with a short-arm free-kick - was also resoundingly endorsed by the players, with 85 per cent liking the move.

The IRB banished that experiment to a single unspecified "elite" competition in Europe rather than include it in the worldwide trial.

The only loss for the ELVs was a "mixed response" from players on whether the new rules made the breakdown easier to understand.

The results are sure to please Australian rugby boss John O'Neill, who just days ago warned of the game being split into two and urged the IRB to make a decision on the outcomes of its trials sooner rather than later.

Australian players association boss Tony Dempsey said the decision-makers should take the players' views on board.

"These results clearly demonstrate that the players prefer to play under the experimental law variations introduced this season for the Super 14 competition," Dempsey said.

"It is important the game's administrators listen to the views and attitudes of the players in respect of this very important issue so that we continue to ensure rugby is both an entertaining and interesting sport for both its participants and fans alike.

Dempsey is backed by Wallabies superstar Lote Tuqiri.

"The game's certainly a lot quicker and you've got to run more and I like a running game," he said.

"It's out of my power but personally I like the ELVs."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans warned his side about the shift back after three Tests played under the game's traditional rules.

Deans is wary of Australia's first opponents in the series, world champions South Africa, who have played two high quality Tests against New Zealand under the ELVs in the past two weeks.

"It does have the potential to catch us by surprise, just in terms of instinct," Deans said.

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