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Getting the rules right for our game

Dane Gagai of Australia at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (NRLPhotos/Gregg Porteous)
Roar Guru
15th November, 2017
4

The current world cup has for the most part been an entertaining competition. Yes, there have been some blowouts, but this can happen at most international team sporting events.

There has been some excellent quality on display. This footballing display makes me wonder, how we can tailor the rules of our game to make it the best sport it possibly can be.

To begin with, let’s look at the referee issue. Do we go with one or do we go with two? This world cup has demonstrated some quality rugby league. I am wondering if there has been this quality because of the one referee. Or has the one referee hindered the quality that could have been on display?

I think, for the most part, having one referee has improved the games that we have witnessed so far. With one referee, the players hear one voice. There is no confusion about who is in charge. This is important, especially for such a physical game.

The downside is that in some games there have been an enormous amount of penalties. So be it, especially if the penalties are deserved. Another counter-argument is that the game is too fast to have one referee. I get this point, yet there are breaks in the game for the referee to recover, and at NRL level we do have full-time referees, so fitness should not be a problem. In all honesty, I would be surprised if the referee wasn’t one of the fittest people on the field.

Referee Matt Cecchin

(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox)

There are some other issues that I would like to see the NRL address. I feel that at NRL level and so far in the world cup referees have been too lenient on dangerous conduct and play. For the NRL, think back to the Sia Soliola late and high hit on Billy Slater. Now the two referees on the field got the decision wrong, but any discretion should be taken out of the referees hands.

I think to make the game safer and more attractive for a new generation we need to be stricter with the enforcement of some of the rules in our game. To do this, I feel the following should be an automatic send off.

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For instance a late and high hit (intentional or not), especially concerning a player who is no longer possession of the ball. In Sia Soliola’s case, he received a five-match suspension. This suspension was not enough. Such a hit like this should result in a minimum of eight weeks. If this seems harsh, I don’t care.

We need to remove the threat of players targeting unprotected players. Just to point out, for neutrality purposes that I am not a Melbourne Storm fan or anti-Canberra Raiders. I firmly believe that player safety must be paramount.

In addition to a late and high hit, any shoulder charge that makes contact with the head – intentional or not – should be an automatic send off. This response is what they do in rugby union and while I am a league fan, I acknowledge union does this better than we do.

Furthermore, the science is proven; repeated hits to the head can damage the brain.

Once more, player welfare must take precedence. For those who like the shoulder charge and feel that it adds to the game, know this: the days of the shoulder charge are over. Accept it. Such a tackle should also receive a minimum six-week suspension.

Now for both these acts of foul play, the referee on the field could check the footage with the video referee to confirm the right call has been made. It is essential though, that if the evidence suggests that an illegal act has taken place, then the referee loses discretionary powers and the player is removed from the field.

There have been some other things that I have seen throughout the season that I find concerning. One such thing which I consider to be a low act is tripping. I just wonder when this stopped being an automatic send off.

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I’m not that old, and tripping was always considered a ‘dog’ act when I grew up playing the game. When did this thinking stop? Even if the trip is a reactionary response or intentional a sin-bin should be the minimum punishment. It is an easy way to break a leg.

Moreover, a shoulder charge that does not make contact with the head should also be a sin-bin. Yes, just as they do in union. I remain convinced league will go this way soon. For both the trip and the shoulder charge the decision for what the penalty should be must be removed from the referee. This way everyone knows what the result will be if the player commits the foul.

One more thing that has crept into the world cup from the NRL is the defence lying around the ruck in the attacking zone. This slow down should be considered a professional foul. This act is a blight on the game.

It is so frustrating to see teams give away consecutive penalties within the 20-metre zone to slow down the play the ball.

Matt Seamark of Wales is tackled by Joshua Mantellato (R) of Italy during the Rugby League World Cup Inter group match between Wales and Italy at the Millennium Stadium on October 26, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

I don’t know why teams don’t take the two points on offer considering they happen so often now. Also, I don’t understand why the referees don’t send a player to the bin more regularly. A second straight penalty should result in a warning with the third leading to a player finding himself in the sin-bin. Ultimately, this reoccurring act kills the energetic vibe of the game.

To add quickly, I like the free play rule in the English Super League. I think it adds excitement. I’d like to see the substitutions reduced to six instead of the NRL eight or international ten. I would also like to see scrum infringements enforced, but doubt that will ever happen.

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So, if you had the power, which rules would you like to see introduced or enforced in our game? What rules do you think would make our game more exciting?

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