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It already showcases fast rugby league, but the Auckland Nines competition is set to be even more exciting, with a new rule encouraging attacking play.
WANT TO LIVE STREAM THE AUCKLAND NINES? HERE’S HOW
The NRL has confirmed a ‘free play’ advantage rule will be brought in at the pre-season tournament in February.
The rule allows an extended advantage for a team after their opposition makes a mistake, which it’s hoped will encourage teams to take on high-risk plays in an attempt to score a try in the advantage period.
The advantage only ends when the team with the advantage scores, a player commits a foul, is tackled, or if the ball is lost before the next play-the-ball.
It’s basically an extension of the zero-tackle rule, which is still in effect.
“The Nines is already one of the most entertaining events on the Rugby League calendar,” NRL general manager of football Nathan McGuirk said.
“It gives a team a fantastic opportunity to come up with creative plays; it’s a whole new opportunity from which they can attack with little risk of losing the advantage after an error.”
The rule also allows teams to kick the ball in an attacking manner on a turnover, knowing they will still get the ball back if the opposition recovers it.
“We are hoping to see teams take advantage of this rule with some amazing, opportunistic plays, which we think will result in more points and more great tries scored for the fans,” McGuirk said.
While the rule change is not expected to be implemented in the season proper anytime soon, if it’s successful it could be considered like other pre-season rule trials in the past.
All 16 NRL teams will contest the two-day Auckland Nines, starting on February 6. South Sydney are the defending champions.
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