NRL rule change without a trial surprises Leeds Rhinos chief Richard Agar

The Australian competition is scheduled to resume on May 28 after its enforced shutdown due to coronavirus.

With Super League, Championship and League 1 all still some way off from such a point, many will be interested to see how the NRL copes, adapts and looks upon its return.

However, there will be interest, too, because of an intriguing new rule change that will be introduced when the likes of South Sydney, Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos all do battle once more.

The competition has adopted a “six-again” rule allowing an attacking team another full set rather than stopping play for a penalty when it comes to ruck penalties.

It is aimed as a deterrent for ‘wrestle’ tactics in the tackle and defending teams using the ploy to slow down the ruck area.

Rather than sides being able to get a few seconds rest and chance to realign while the official awards a penalty, it should make matters more difficult for a tiring defending side who continue to infringe.

The NRL will also revert to just one referee rather than two; this is seen as a way of not only saving money post-pandemic but also creating fewer stoppages in play and, therefore, making a more entertaining spectacle.

As ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys explained: “It’s clear the current system hasn’t effectively addressed the issue of wrestling in the game.

“Reverting to one referee together with the new six-again rule gives us a chance to speed up the ruck and create more free flowing rugby league.

“Giving the attacking team six more tackles for a ruck infringement will be a significant deterrent to slowing the ruck.

“No team is going to want to defend multiple sets of tackles without a stoppage in play.

“This is the greatest disincentive for what has become habitual ruck infringements.”

Super League, no doubt, will watch with interest as often it does eventually replicate aspects of Australia’s premier competition.

That said, Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar is unsure as to whether there would be any need here – or even if the rule change actually benefits attacking sides as is the intention.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: “I thought the ruck was fairly clean and stable in the NRL – and I’d also say I don’t think there’s too much wrong with our ruck speed over here.

“I don’t think our game is necessarily blighted with too much wrestle. Yes, it exists but I don’t think Super League is dominated by any particular wrestling teams.

“I certainly wouldn’t be hoping we’d be following on just because they (the NRL) have done it.

“I’d want to look at it first and see if it does eradicate any problems they have got with wrestle.

“I don’t think we have. But looking at it, you concede a penalty and they kick to touch it means you are defending your own tryline by the back end of that set any way.

“Aren’t they equal really? Attacking-wise, I think I’d rather have a penalty if I’m honest.”

The rule was first used in the 2012 NRL-Indigenous All Stars game on a trial basis but has not been seen since.

Agar would prefer to have seen it trialled again before being introduced now.

The current NRL campaign was halted after just two rounds and Agar said: “I’d be a bit nonplussed as to why they are doing it now.

“I know it’s not mid-season and it’s very difficult with Covid and what’s happened.

“But why has it not been in since Round One or been trialled before?

“I think any major rule changes like this should be trialled.

“I can understand it might speed the game up a bit but I’m not sure if it gives teams a significant advantage.

“Are teams prepared to cheat a little bit more to get set in there?

“I think anything as major as this should be looked at in trials and see how it can manipulated –on both sides of the ball.”

The former Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity head coach spent a year with NRL side St George Illawarra before joining Leeds in December 2018.

He concluded: “Whether it speeds the game up or not, we’ll see. I’d imagine if that’s the case, it’ll keep the ball in play a little bit longer and stops kicks for touch and that sort of thing.

“But do you gain a significant amount of advantage coming out of yardage?

“If you’re persistently doing it in yardage and it’s restarting the count, you do have the opportunity to kick for touch and make 30 or 40 metres.

“Like I say, I think I’d prefer a kick but it’ll be interesting to see what happens with this.”

Meanwhile, V’landys said full-time referees will also be used as touch judges to increase the experience in touchline officiating.

He added: “The decision shouldn’t been seen as taking one referee out.

“It should be that we are using three full-time experienced referees controlling the game which will ensure greater surveillance of the ruck and the wrestle.”

“This decision will significantly reduce the number of stoppages in games and showcase more open unstructured play for the benefit of fans.

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