While viewing several games in the Nines competition and again viewing trial matches, it is quite apparent that some teams have learnt a great deal about how to successfully steal or strip the ball from opposition players.
This is not illegal play if performed correctly and was perfected in season 2019 by the Canberra Raiders.
You only have to look at replays of their games from last year to see how their English imported players had mastered the technique and taught the rest of the team.
Teams that appeared to have picked up on this in the aforementioned games were the North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Storm (who actually changed their previous ways), Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers and to a lesser extent the Penrith Panthers and Gold Coast Titans.
If I missed any teams, it is because they didn’t stand out as much as the aforementioned teams.
While I agree that ball-stripping has always being a part of the game, the new techniques involving multiple players in the tackle and releasing at some given word or signal is without a doubt going to put a whole lot more pressure on referees to apply the rules correctly.
When you consider the pace of the game, even though tackling is a slower process, the players releasing from the tackle will not always get it right and the referees will be unsighted on a great deal of releasing from the contact, even allowing for two referees.
I can see quite a few penalties arising from this situation and maybe quite a few captain’s challenges being involved.
We only have to wait and see if I’m on the money.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Exactly, didn't mind the one-on-ones. Smart players could occasionally pull off a clever play if an opponent wasn't paying attention but this one is just encouraging more wrestling technique.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
It's a classic case of coaches ruining a well-intentioned rule change. The old stripping rule was always unpopular; you would be penalised for a one-on-one strip if another defender had so much as had a hand on the ball carrier. So, the NRL wisely amended the rule to allow for strips as long there was only one defender involved at the time. Fantastic idea! Then it took all of maybe three rounds (generously) before it was being exploited and abused. Now we see the farcical scenes of three to four men tackling an attacker, only for three of them to wrestle the carrier into the prime stripping position and then drop off (with exaggerated gestures of their hands in the air) allowing the one remaining man to quickly pinch the ball and run. The rule change was a good thing; theoretically. Unfortunately, like with most rule changes these days, it has been completely bastardized by opportunistic coaches. Truthfully I think I'd prefer a return to the old rule; at least it was black and white and a damn sight fairer to attacking players.
Robbo
Guest
Stupid rule; all the NRL has introduced is something for this years season-long gripe. Does one tackler holding the guys legs also count as still be in the tackle with regards to a successful strip? After all it's not like they're pulling at the arms. Somebody's sure gonna try that one on. Canberra will cry on every penalty against them, and no doubt Belly's boys will prefect something new. "Sir, I was only covering his head in case he fell, not tackling him" or some such crap. It's going to be a pigs ear, and that's even before Gus starts whinging about it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spot on Joe. Its just not a fair contest . Its why the Union boys drop to the ground on being tackled . They know you lose the ball if you stay upright. Stay upright and two guys hold the arms and one on the torso and you have no hope. It has nothing at all to do with ball security.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It belongs at the ballet not the football.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I absolutely expect the number of strips to increase this year. Last year being the first year the stripping was a bit haphazard and there were individuals who were just good at it like Hodgson who had the most by a big margin. This year I expect that some teams would have at least practised and incorporated it into a multi man tackle. All it needs is for one of the tacklers to have both arms around the ball carrying arm and the other one or two to pry the other arm away and then let go. There is no way to keep the ball using just one arm against a player using two. It will take timing but it will happen. I will be very surprised if this wasn't practised in the off season.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Not a big fan of this stripping rule. 3 guys pinning a players arms with 2 of them dropping off at the right moment for the remaining tackler to pinch the ball may be an impressive piece of choreography but I don't think it improves the football.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
That’s my only real gripe. It seems that when there’s some confusion among the officials about whether players have peeled off before the strip etc the lead ref is too keen to just call play on. Needs to be the other way around.
Paul
Roar Guru
I like the intent of the rule,that allows the defending team a chance to contest for the all as long as they do it one-on-one. Whether the technique of guys gang tackling then falling off to allow one player to attempt this causes more grief,remains to be seen, as you suggest .It certainly didn't last season, so even though there might be more attempts, I don't see why this should cause more problems this year. Players have had an entire off season to learn how to protect the ball under these circumstances, so I can't see this being a huge problem. By the way, my understanding of captains challenges is, the captain can only call one if a refs decision results in a stoppage in play, eg a scrum for a knock on. I don't see how a captain can challenge this,unless the ref calls a penalty against the team trying to strip the ball. Captains would want to be 100% sure they're right before challenging, otherwise they lose the challenge, so again, can't see this being a big issue.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I agree. Its a can of worms. Just puts more pressure on referees to rule on 50/50 calls & captains challenges. I hate ball stripping in general and I'd scrap the rule.
Andrew
Guest
You are absolutely correct. The question isn't will this become a contentious issue in the game, but when will it. As the frequency of strips increases so will the likelihood of a refereeing error and as soon as Brisbane or Souths get duded on a Friday night it will be an ongoing NRL 360 saga topic. It is unfair on the officials to have to try and adjudicate on it.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
If there are still players out there who think they don't have to hold onto the ball or think they can milk a penalty they are crazy. I like the rule but the refs have to be onto it and the benefit should always go to the ball carrier.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I think you are right Robbo. I don't like the new stripping rule. Unintended consequences all ob0ver the place.