At last some common sense is creeping back into rugby league’s law-makers.
Competitors at the fast-approaching Rugby League World Cup may be allowed a little more leeway from match officials if tempers flare in the heat of battle.
The NRL’s controversial “one punch and you’re off” edict, implemented after the Paul Gallen-Nate Myles flare-up in this year’s State of Origin series opener, has been modified by the Cup’s rules convenors.
Punching an opponent will still be deemed illegal but the resultant penalty – and its extent – will be solely determined by the on-field referee.
A punching incident may still draw a 10-minute spell in the sin bin but it could also mean a caution and a penalty kick with the guilty party to remain on the field.
Andrew Hill, secretary of the Rugby League International Federation, confirmed this week the on-field referee would make a decision on foul play.
Hill said: “There is nothing specific on the ‘punch and you’re off policy.’ It will be interpreted by the on-field referee.
“Games will be refereed according to the international laws. Our rules panel has worked through the different interpretations and have agreed on the way the World Cup will be refereed and interrupted.”
Roarers will undoubtedly be divided on this issue but I think it is a sensible way to go.
To a degree, the zero-tolerance rule introduced by the NRL this year was successful. Ugly all-in brawls are now a thing of the past and the accompanying physical danger to unsuspecting or unwilling participants has greatly dissipated, if not gone forever.
But what I have not liked about the no-punch edict is the rebirth of sly niggle – an unseen face massage, a hand in the wrong place, a ball in the face, and so on – cheap and intentional acts to draw a fierce reaction from the victim, namely a punch.
If any of this niggly nonsense occurs during the World Cup, I’ve got no qualms about the victim defending himself as best he can.
If he lashes out with a punch, so be it. From there, it’s up to the man with the whistle to sort things out which seems fair to me.
While discussing the World Cup rules, it is significant that the panel has elected to run with the NRL’s shoulder charge ban.
In addition, corner posts won’t be deemed part of the touchline which means that the code’s extraordinary troupe of acrobats will wow northern hemisphere galleries with their spectacular try-scoring feats.
Matches will be refereed by just one man who must check with the video reviewer before awarding tries.
soapit
Guest
something more relevant to the actual game, what are they doing with the shoulder charge?
mushi
Guest
Sure did, plenty of judgment calls made with limited information as is the case in any contest that isn't a board game. Been that was for 100 years in league, maybe in another 100 years the fans will figure that out?
FTR
Guest
Bad news for the Aussies that... the English are the Kings of Biff. Watch out for Gareth Hock.
Rob Hayes
Guest
" In addition, corner posts won’t be deemed part of the touchline which means that the code’s extraordinary troupe of acrobats will wow northern hemisphere galleries with their spectacular try-scoring feats." Superleague already allow this ( and adopted shoulder charge ban last season) so us poms already used to the acrobatics. Referees in Superleague have shown leniency / inconsistency on punching (e.g. Lee briers punch on Carl Ablett during play offs this year) which only confuses / frustrates fans and players alike. The game's tough enough without sneaky punches to players on the ground.
johnbadseed
Guest
did you watch the grand final?
Lovey
Guest
In regards to that photo, I remember that and I don't think Tate actually punched him. He sort of pushed down with his fist, it was as though he had thought of swinging one, but pulled out. For what it's worth.
mushi
Guest
The slight difference being that Australia isn't a country with a penchant for corruption that makes Nigeria blush. My main issue with Indian cricket being more powerful is don't think there is a less trust worthy body in sport.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
shoulder charge should also be brought back. Only a couple went wrong. The NRL are just worried about lawsuits from ex players like is happening in the NFL.. Dean Young had a glass jaw. Many players have played rest of games with broken jaws.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
and also there is an absence of quick taps or much advantage with the two refs as when possession changes from one team to another the refs have to swap positions so any advantage is lost
al
Guest
Not the biff we need back but the shoulder charge
chris
Guest
If a blue leads to more interest world wide, hypothetically of course, then what? No study, to my knowledge, has been done on this but considering crowds and tv audiences have dropped since the gallen stink id be interested to know if thats why, or the resulting rule changes were why. We don't know what the majority prefer and my baseless assumption is that minorities make more noise. Hence the ban. What the telegraph and its brainwashees want then thats what they get I suppose.
Midfielder
Guest
Why stop there ... stiff arm, spear tackle, first 20 minutes anything goes in the softening up period ..... RRRRRRRrrrrrr remember Manly V Wests... Manly V Souths ... Manly V Balmain .... Manly V Parra .... Manly V Newcastle... Manly V Bitches [Broncos] gotta get back to the old days ... and it was never Manly's fault all those bully boys picking on the clean and trustworthy angles at the beach .... Cronulla Grand Final... Newtown Grand Final ... Masters slappers .... Wallies wallopers [Lewis] ....
fishes
Guest
Nice now bring back the shoulder charge
M1tch
Roar Guru
+1 hahaha
Rob
Guest
Without the biff, rugby league would become more athletic, skillful and dynamic - I'd hate to see that!
Wozza
Guest
It's only a small part of the attraction ...and besides the intensity of the game always lifts after a good old donnybrook ...
oikee
Guest
Yes,, that one little rule change has seen a rush for tickets now with even the trail matches all selling out. The lust for the biff is back. hehe. It seems like the way they are running this world cup will be the blueprint for future world cups we hold for RL. We are now on the map so to speak. We wont have big enough stadiums to hold the hoards Tim, all because we brought back the biff for internationals and world cups, yeehaa.
pablo
Guest
Its a bit tragic when the attraction of rlwc is that there might be a fight.
bully
Guest
Im glad they are only using 1 ref. the nrl need to go back to that as well. 2 ref's is a massive failure not least because most games seem to be played at two different tempos and imo alot of penaltys for holding down seem to be due to this.
Wozza
Guest
Awesome .....look for gallen and those burgess boys making up for the kindergarten cop controlled moments in the nrl.... The poms love a bit of biff and I can't see it getting out of control , unless JWH is involved then it may .... Fight fight fight :-)