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The NRL have announced plans to trial a number of new rules for upcoming trial matches. And while rule changes tend to earn the ire of old-school fans – think the shoulder-charge ban, and automatic sin-binning for throwing a punch – one of these rule interpretations is sure to warm the hearts of traditionalists.
Referees are set to clamp down on players simply rolling the ball between their legs, awarding differential penalties – that is, a free kick, from which a penalty goal cannot be attempted – against players who do not use their foot to make contact with the Steeden.
If the clampdown is deemed a success, it will be implemented for the season proper.
“This has been identified as an area which needs to be addressed and there clearly needs to be some increased regulation of the play-the-ball,” said NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg.
“It is a relatively minor offence but it is a source of frustration for many and it is clear there needs to be some penalty applied for failing to make a genuine attempt to play the ball.
“We understand how critical penalties can be in the context of a game, but a differential penalty will ensure that referees can apply the rules more vigilantly.”
Other rule changes that will be seen in trials will be brought into effect from Round 1.
The first is that teams will no longer be allowed to create a wall in an attempt to stop field-goal charge downs.
The rule allows that “if two or more players form a wall (side by side) next to the play the ball and don’t allow the opportunity for a defending player to move directly towards the player in possession, the referee will penalise for obstruction”.
Also being brought in is the long-mooted shot clock, which means scrums must be packed within 35 seconds, and drop outs taken within 30 seconds. If a team does not execute within the alloted time, they will be penalised.
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