A few commonsense rule changes for NRL

 
M1tch Roar Guru

By M1tch, 26 Oct 2010 M1tch is a Roar Guru

Tagged:
 , , , ,

    27 Have your say

    Related coverage

    Sports Highlights

    Watch more sports news video


    Braith Anasta dives in for a try

    Braith Anasta dives in for a try: Rugby League, NRL, Week Two of Finals Series, Roosters v Penrith Panthers at SFS, Saturday September 18th, 2010. Digital image by Colin Whelan © nrlphotos.com

    It would seem we have to wait until the Independent Commission is in place before any type of changes are made to the NRL – and no doubt they will have a lot on their plate come first day of operation.

    But there are some rules that continually bring the game down which need to be changed.

    Commonsense rule changes include:

    - The torso rule. Okay, under what universe was this considered okay, to allow a try by landing on it with your chest? Simply amazing this rule got through.

    Solution: A try must be only awarded if it’s to controlled with your hand.

    - Advantage rule. Another rule that it’s hard to believe is still in the rulebook. How many times in 2010 did we see players picking up from ball, running 5-8 meters and losing the ball, but the ref blows the whistle and says, “Back here for a scrum, he didn’t take the advantage.”

    In other words, you could take the ball nine meters forward, go from the left wing to the right wing (without gaining one meter), go back to the center of the field (still without going over 10 meters), and if you lose the ball or throw a forward pass the ref will blow the whistle back to the original spot, which by now could be 20 meters across field.

    Solution: Simple. If you pick up the ball and go forward/sideways one step, you are taking the advantage.

    - Benefit of the doubt. One of the most talked about topics after the end of each weekend of footy.

    Solution: It’s been said before and I agree; if after two looks it doesn’t look like a try, then it’s benefit of the doubt: to the defensive team.

    - Holding formation of the scrum. When did this one sneak in? If a team, usually when games are close, and nearly the end of a half, they will rush in to form a scrum and the ref will then blow time-off, but the players cannot break the scrum otherwise time is waved back on. It’s a ludicrous rule.

    Solution: If a team gets there first and forms a scrum, it’s time-off and they can break the scrum mold (but only players playing in the forwards and form the scrum as this will stop the scene of centers and wingers racing down to form the scrum).

    - Video referee. Give them a 50-inch plasma TV so they can get the calls right.

    Solution: Note to the Commission: JB Hi Fi has some top quality brands and low prices, go and buy 16 and get a deal!

    These are just four rules changes, to which there are many, many more.

    Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.