The ARLC has scrapped the controversial benefit of the doubt system after a season of clangers and dramatically overhauled the decision-making process for awarding tries.
In a dramatic day at Rugby League Central, the commission also announced new State of Origin eligibility rules and a clarification of what will constitute an illegal shoulder charge next season.
However the biggest change is in relation to how tries are awarded, after the 2012 season was marred by bungled calls and confusion over the rules.
From the start of the 2013 NRL season, referees will make an on-field call in relation to all try-scoring situations, and if in doubt will signal `time out’ and refer to the video referee.
However the video ref will only change the on-field referees’ original decision if there is sufficient evidence to suggest that decision was wrong.
The benefit of the doubt rule resulted in Greg Inglis being awarded a highly controversial benefit of the doubt try in State of Origin I which tilted the match in Queensland’s favour.
And in a sudden-death semi-final which knocked out North Queensland, Manly’s Kieran Foran was given the benefit of the doubt on a crucial try despite replays showing he had clearly knocked the ball on.
The decision to alter the role of video referees was based on recommendations put forward by NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk, after consultation with NRL Referees’ boss Daniel Anderson and competition committee members Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens, Darren Lockyer, Ivan Cleary, Andrew Ryan, Laurie Daley and John Lang.
State of Origin eligibility was another hot topic in 2012, after New Zealand-born James Tamou was allowed to represent Australia and then NSW.
Josh Papalii is yet to play for Queensland, but has changed his allegiance from the Kiwis to the Maroons.
But from 2013 no player will be eligible to play for NSW or Queensland unless he has lived in that state before the age of 13, or unless he is the son of an Origin player.
The player must also be eligible to play for Australia.
Under the new changes, Tamou and Papalii would have had to represent New Zealand – and at least now future defections can be limited.
NSW have cried foul for years over Maroons star Inglis, who was born and lived in NSW until he was a teenager.
“The intention there is to bring some real clarity around the eligibility. I think we’ve got some very clear rules,” said the general manager of strategic projects, Shane Mattiske, on Fox Sports.
“Importantly, we’ve got this new father-son rule. Now that we’ve got a team in Melbourne this becomes important. If Billy Slater’s son ever plays for Queensland and his son grows up in Victoria, it means that Billy’s son could then ensure he plays for Queensland.”
“There’s also clarity around the age at which you’re eligibility for NSW or Queensland crystallizes.
“It’s not a retrospective rule, it’s something that will be applied moving forward and it just brings clarity … which is important to us and I think it’s important to all fans of the game.”
After banning the shoulder charge in November, the commission provided a definition, similar to rugby union of what would define the tackle as illegal: that tacklers must attempt to make a tackle with arms out.
Billy Bob
Guest
Ken, that is both funny and sad if true. Does Inglis not satisfy either set of rules? If so, why cannot the commission not rectify the rort? He is a great player. But is he a mercenary or simply looking to play with his Qld brothers? The high indigenous make up of Qld may be a big factor in his early and continued 'defection'. But it makes a joke of the set up when Qld is allowed to choose players from all around the world. Love the song- where's Bowraville? In Queensland......
Bazzio
Roar Guru
It doesn't matter squat where cane toads originated. The fact is that they're here, play better AND dirtier than NSW, and they cheat like it's holy. The fact that there has been confusion over the application of rules by the video referees shows that the ref's simply don't know the rules, or how to apply them. Send the ref's back to ref pre-school, and don't appoint just any numbskull to fill the post. Get someone who actually KNOWS THE RULES!! It's not that hard
Ken
Guest
I've seen Inglis mentioned in a few of the stories reporting on this change - not sure why though it wouldn't have changed a thing. Inglis wasn't eligible for Queensland under the old rules or the new rules - if you're going to allow people to simply ignore the rules then it really doesn't matter what they are does it?
Luc
Guest
Agree. It is heartening to see the ARLC attempt to get some clarity on the issue , but thay have not gone far enough. As far as I can tell, the eligibility rules have been formulated purely with the question of NZ-born players in mind. I have seen nowhere where it stipulates what happens when a kid from the Sudan, Fiji, Brazil, wherever moves to, say, the western suburbs of Sydney as a fifteen year old. He excels in rugby league, graduates to the NRL and is then wanted by the Blues. He hasn't lived in NSW prior to the age of 13, so what does that mean for him? Is he now ineligible to play for NSW AND Australia? Surely not the kind of inclusive message the NRL wishes to send out to its fanbase. And bbt's point is well made. By the ARLC's logic, we can assume they don't believe a Victorian born and bred player will ever be good enough for the game's biggest stage. The whole thing is short-sighted and ill-conceived, at best.
Christine
Guest
So if Steve Price's son grew up in Auckland, he is eligible to play for Queensland because his father played for Queensland. That makes sense. Or say, my son who is now 4 years old, going on 5 years. Born in Auckland but moved to the Gold Coast at the age of 2 years old. Spends his whole life in the Gold Coast, if he is good enough, he is eligible to play for Queensland??
oikee
Guest
Worry about that in 20 years time. The world is supposed to be ending this year. Look this 20 30 year planning that the AFL has in place is sheer folly. Alot can change in 20 years. Banks can go bust, teams can go bust, Tinky can go bust. Live in the now, rugby leagues time is now, not toomoorow , Now.
bbt
Guest
What are they going to do in 20 years when Victoria can field a great team?