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The NRL’s shot clock will get its first test in the top grade when it’s trialled on Sunday afternoon during the Parramatta-Canberra clash at Pirtek Stadium.
Having been experimented on in a number of under-20s matches over the past fortnight, next year’s rule change will be examined at NRL level before it gets introduced for the 2016 season.
The Eels-Raiders game was chosen because the result will have no ramifications on the finals series.
The governing body announced in July the introduction of a shot clock for next season to try to reduce time wasting on scrums and line dropouts.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said it was a chance for players and fans to see the initial impact of the innovation on NRL games.
“Both Parramatta and Canberra have agreed to allow us to use their game on Sunday to continue our trials of the shot clock technology and we certainly appreciate their support through this process,” Greenberg said.
“This is an opportunity not only to continue to trial the technology and finetune the rules attached to the shot clock, but also for fans to get their first look at what will be an important innovation for the game in 2016.”
As has been the case over the past two weeks, the Eels and Raiders will have 30 seconds for dropouts and 35 seconds for scrums.
However, the NRL will make a final decision on the timing of the shot clock at the end of its trial period.
From next season, the interchange will also drop from 10 to eight.
The NRL has previously stressed the rule changes are not an attempt to make the game faster, but more free-flowing.
“The shot clock is a significant step for the game and, in conjunction with the reduction in interchange, is designed to reward endurance and give our fans a more free-flowing, entertaining game,” Greenberg said.
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