Three rule changes the NRL should make for 2015

To its credit, over the past few seasons the NRL hasn’t been afraid to make rule changes.

Whether it’s to increase player safety or to adapt to the changing game, the NRL has trailed and implemented game variations to stay relevant.

Three areas which could use a bit of a tweak are around speed of the ruck, encouraging attacking football, and aiding refs with more disciplinary discretion.

Here are three other rules changes I’d implore the powers that be to adopt for 2015.

Short-arm penalty
Penalties during the play-the-ball are designed to speed up the game. The thought is you deter the defending side from slowing down the ruck, whether it’s a hand on the ball or laying on the player, by penalising them. However this doesn’t speed up the play, it actually causes a stoppage which interrupts the flow.

The advantage these penalties bring, especially at the end of a set, are pretty substantial. To compound it, they can often be a 50/50 call.

Instead, the NRL should employ a short-arm penalty. Here, the attacking side gets a repeat set of six, but must take the tap from the location of the infringement. The extra yardage gained from the full-arm penalty should be saved for professional fouls such as dangerous tackles and foul play. This will even up the contest, as well as define the two grades of indiscretions.

20 metre drop-out
Repeat sets of six test the defensive mettle of any NRL side, and the toll defence takes on a side often translates to tries being scored. However, the strain of repeat sets of six on their own goal-line is almost a guarantee of points. A short grubber into the in-goal often results in a goal-line drop out, and the attacking team usually starts their next set of six on their opponent’s 30 metre line. Straight into the red zone.

A 20 metre drop-out in instances when the ball was caught and grounded within the in-goal (not to include a player tackled in the field of play and forced back), would both alleviate what is too much of an advantage for the grubber, and also force teams to be more creative with their kicking options or play more expansive, running football.

Only a few years back the NRL introduced the rule that marking the ball on the full within your in goal resulted in a 20 metre restart to stop attacking sides bombing into the in-goal to secure an easy line drop out. A 20 metre drop-out still provides the attacking side with the benefit, but not one as powerful as starting a set of six on the opponent’s 30 metre line.

Five minute sin bin
Ten minutes in the bin is a big deal. To play with 12 for more than 10 per cent of a match puts a toll on a side, especially in defence. As a result, the refs are quite reluctant to use their powers to march a player of the pitch, with the exception of the mandatory time out for a punch. Players are well aware of this, and as a result, extract as much leniency out of the rules as possible.

A five minute sin bin would allow the refs to properly and effectively chastise a player who has cause repeated offences, or even professional fouls, without leaving a team hamstrung for the full 10 minutes. Repeat cynical fouls while in defence, as well as dangerous or reckless tackles need a heavier punishment than the current infringements allow. At the end of the day, an extension of power (with clearly stated guidelines) allow the refs and the NRL to curb poor player behaviour.

These three rule changes would not only make for a much more attractive contest, but would look to assist in minimising negative play.

Bring on 2015.