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.
Horace
Guest
3 haTS - WELL SPOTTED...
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It's the Nines. Who cares
Terry from Nyngan
Guest
Someone that likes NFL probably.
3 Hats
Guest
Yeah You're an obtuse so and so LMFAO at you Pete BLOOR
3 Hats
Guest
This is a CROCK, seriously, a loose ball knock-on, picked up, run down field 80 metres, a mistake then... HOLD ON BOYS...TIME OFF back to the 10 we go for a play the ball. RIDICULOUS, who was the LUNATIC who thought this one up?
JayBob
Guest
I don't watch much Super League so I'm not sure how the rule is working out over there. I like the idea of promoting more high-risk attacking football, but it could sort of do the opposite in a way. It's basically making a dropped ball more detrimental and giving a bigger advantage to the other team. Therefore teams would be coached to perform safer plays that result in less dropped balls. More one out hitups and less offloads I would assume.
Peter Beckwith
Roar Rookie
Don't be obtuse. :-)
pete bloor
Guest
You've been watching the 9s for 60 years?
pete bloor
Guest
It's only for the nines right? I don't mind the idea of seeing the toe ahead of a dropped ball in 9s.
Peter Beckwith
Roar Rookie
Bloody stupid "rule". For god's sake will the powers that be stop tinkering with the rules. I have been watching this game for 60 years and in that time the game has changed beyond belief. I do know that my father wouldn't recognise the game now. I know that some changes needed to be made. the 6 tackle rule, the 40/20, the downgrading of scrums and the 10 metre rule are all examples of rules that needed to be made to the game to ensure its continuity but rule tweaks like this nonsense is as stupid as anything I can think of. how about a five or ten year moratorium on rule changes in any form of the game and then have a look at what is needed. One other thing, keep coaches away from anything to do with changing the rules. coaches come and go but the fans keep coming back year after year and they need to have an ingrained understanding of the rules.
Matthew Tomczyk
Roar Pro
Rugby league: still the perfect made-for-TV product. Fortunately this advantage rule has an unambiguous end, unlike in that other code that people seem to follow for some reason.
Uncle Phil
Guest
Agreed, but no need to encourage it with thoughtless rule changes.
pete bloor
Guest
But could coaches be more paranoid? It already seems the focus.
pete bloor
Guest
I still think picking a direction to run and which team mates to pass to is marginally more confusing than a rule which is effectively - nothing bad can happen
Uncle Phil
Guest
Exactly what I was thinking...(particularly the zero tackle rule) how simple are these people, my god. You are encouraging no mistake boring football. Let's go the opposite way and say a team was allowed one mistake, are they saying that that team will play more conservatively...
Terry from Nyngan
Guest
Is there a full moon over Sydney? What silliness from the NRL bunker again. This is up there with the power play farce rule they tried in the All Stars game. So they have a new rule to encourage one exciting 'zero tackle' play. Lol! To do that the deep thinkers have in fact added a punishment that further discourages taking risks on every other tackle!!!!!!!!!!!! Coaches will now be even more paranoid about making sure their teams don't make an error that will give the opposition a zero tackle!!!!!
Farqueue
Guest
English super league has had this rule all last season.
Jim
Guest
He said it's confusing for the players, not that the concept is complex. Remember, they are league players after all...
Horace
Guest
Is It in use in English Super league and Rugby Union or is it more complex..
pete bloor
Guest
Yep its complexity is right up there with which try line to run towards and passing the ball to guys wearing the same jersey as yourself.