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Jeff Lima in action during the NRL, Round 19, Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm match at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney on Monday July 20, 2009. Eels won 18-16. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox
A bright vision for the future or a nightmare wanting to be avoided at all costs? That is the question over the “Double Try” innovation which awaits rugby league at the inaugural NRL and Indigenous All-Stars match on the Gold Coast in February.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that someone has either been watching way too much NFL or has been trying too hard to justify a business trip to Hawaii, given the changes which will be used at the match in an effort to increase the game’s entertainment, and dare I say, novelty value.
The biggest innovation is the use of the “Double Try”. After each try, teams will have the choice of going for a conversion or having another tackle with which to score a further four points.
Your extra tackle will start on the 20 metre line in the centre of the field.
Wayne Bennett believes it could become part of the game within five years, but I’m not so sure.
Personally, I quite like conversions. It’s a skill and adds something to the game. It is also not like rugby league has a problem with too many shots at goal.
Conversely, rugby league may well have a problem of too many tries scored by kicks and this is what I can see the “Double Try” becoming. With the opposition defensive line set, I can see most sides just bombing it towards a wing.
The number of referees will double with two refereeing teams of two being used during the match.
It seems only five minutes ago we were all perfectly happy bagging out one referee and now we suddenly have four to choose from.
The coaches will also enter the limelight with coaches Bennett and Neil Henry having their quarter and three quarter time team speeches aired to the general public.
That should be genuinely interesting, but I wonder if they may have preferred a more animated coach than ‘Hollywood’ Bennett to boost the ratings.
Video referees will also explain their rulings to the commentators. Good luck if the panel includes Phil Gould.
Thankfully, sanity was restored before they took up Wendell Sailor’s offer to wear a microphone during the match.
I have got nothing against Wendell, but the last thing we need is to give sledging a bigger profile so every moron/comedian who trots onto a field thinks people want to hear their efforts to replicate Big Dell’s efforts.
Still the match, which is the brainchild of Gold Coast CEO Michael Searle, looks to be a great way to get the season off to a flying start.
I’m already looking forward to it, I might just have to adjust the volume.
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