The third and final article for my post-COVID rugby league vision will be rapid-firing a range of topics surrounding the game.
If you missed my previous two articles, Part 1 focused on an in-depth revision of the NRL draw, entailing representative windows which aligned with the English Super League (ESL) with the idea of incorporating transfer windows and a loan-player system, and Part 2 discussed the merits of expansion across first-grade and an improved reserve-grade and elite pathways model for the NRL.
Rule changes
It is imperative that the laws of rugby league align in each and every competition around the world. I will never understand how and why the NRL, ESL and international game can have rules that differ between one another. It is absolutely baffling.
It has been touted for years that the International Rugby League (IRL) body will align the laws of the game that govern every competition around the world, therefore the following rules require global implementation, as well as some minor alterations.
Seven tackle set restart
Introduced to keep the ball in play longer and deter playmakers from taking the fullback out of the game without the long-term view for the ramifications it has had on the game.
Why should an attacking player erring in the opposition’s tryscoring area when attempting to score result in an extra tackle from the 20-metre line for the opposition? Instead the rule should only become a seven-tackle restart if the ball is kicked dead from beyond the 30-metre line, omitting field goal attempts.
(Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Six-again set restart
Since its introduction I stand by the notion from my previous article that this rule change is a masterstroke that will positively evolve the game across the world.
Interchange
Reducing the interchange to six or seven in conjunction with the six-again restart will see teams adapt to the speed and fitness requirements in the long run and reverse the trend of the game being for bigger bodies only, giving the outside backs a more pivotal role in the game once again. Ultimately the game will factor in fatigue which will create free-flowing, expansive, creative and ad-lib football that players and spectators crave.
One referee
I don’t see the necessity in having two leading referees adjudicating one match of rugby league. When the NRL reverted back to one referee following the recommencement of the 2020 season the transition was seamless. One referee just makes sense. More consistency and more money saved on wages.
Golden point
I’m not going to complicate things here. Golden point needs to go. Club football and Test matches where the score is tied at the 80-minute mark should end as a draw. For finals and State of Origin matches that end in a draw ten minutes of extra time should be the process, with golden point following extra time if scores are still deadlocked.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Dominant tackles
There should be more reward for the defensive team if a player can complete a one-on-one tackle on the attacking player in that the defending player that made the tackle can lay on the attacking player longer than usual as a reward for the effort made in completing a difficult tackle. Not all the advantage should go to the attacking team.
Play-the-ball
There should be more emphasis on players playing the ball with their foot. It is disgraceful that such a basic formality of the game can be overlooked so frequently during a game when at times players don’t even attempt to make the motion of rolling the ball with their foot, yet still get away with it. Attacking teams gain a great advantage from this ignorance and it needs to be policed better. Similarly, when attacking sides play the ball off their mark and the referee tells them to go back and play on their mark it should just be penalised.
Scrums
Get rid of them. In 1895 rugby league broke away from rugby union, and eradicating the scrum will further solidify this break. Rugby league scrums serve little to no purpose, and it is particularly embarrassing when referees are telling players how to pack them in properly.
(Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Marketing
Ticketing
Game-day tickets for non-premium matches in Australia should cost $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 13 to 17 and free for children 12 years and under. For larger stadiums a first-in-best-dressed scheme would be implemented where the earlier the tickets are bought the better the seats are. Seats would be allocated after ticketed members.
Memberships
Accordingly, clubs can use the new ticketing prices to reconfigure their membership costs, ensuring game-attending members have the best seats in the stadium. In saying that, the NRL and ESL need to assist their respective clubs in promoting the importance of memberships and how they contribute to the financial health of their club, with an equal amount of energy also placed on those that cannot attend games by promoting the sale of the ‘non-ticketed membership’, where purchasers of this option can become valued members and contribute to their club without attending games.
Jerseys
Rugby league playing jerseys should display the surname of players on the back during televised games. Currently ESL and State of Origin teams do this, but NRL and international Test teams do not. Displaying names on jerseys helps the viewer identify the player easier than just their playing number.
Speaking of which, the price of rugby league jerseys across the world should cost no more than $100 as opposed to the current $160.00 starting price.
Additional themed rounds
Return to country round: each game is played at a country venue across Australia, a brilliant way to bring first-grade football to areas and an effective way of pairing teams that historically draw low crowds when they play against each other.
Warrior month: to commemorate the sacrifice the Warriors made during corona season in 2020 by moving to Australia indefinitely to ensure the competition survived the entire month of May should see the Warriors play all their games back home in New Zealand.
There should also be more double and triple headers throughout the season.
Extra digital content
The NRL’s own Last Dance, anybody? In a previous article that explored the top ten ideas for NRL documentaries, could you imagine if the NRL organised for a film crew to follow the Sydney Roosters throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons in search for the first-ever three-peat of premierships in the NRL era? The insight and backstage access would make for phenomenal viewing that would be very appreciated by fans whether a Roosters supporter or not.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
NRL TV deal
The primetime time slot of 7:30pm on Saturday night needs to be simulcast on free-to-air television as engaging more fans is the way forward for rugby league, even if it results in a marginally lower financial return – if only the professional coverage of Fox Sports and their flagship shows could be simulcast on free-to-air as well…
Furthermore, to return some integrity to the draw the NRL should eradicate five-day turnarounds and distribute games fairly across all time slots, giving every side exposure on free-to-air television throughout the season, similar to the ESL competition, for the greater good.
While they’re at it, the NRL should sell their international rights cheap to every country they can as long as they ensure matches are shown on a popular and accessible outlet for supporters.
Of note, Fox Sports displaying the reason for in-game penalties has been a wonderful addition for viewers watching the game, assisting both new and old supporters with the refereeing decision. The next addition should be a display of a sin-bin clock for sin-binned players.
Miscellaneous
To finalise the plethora of ideas, here are some rapid-fire post-COVID suggestions:
- NRL to partner with and develop Oztag and touch football through Fox Sports.
- Expansion of the NRL Women’s competition to six teams by 2022 and eight teams by 2025 with a three-game State of Origin series.
- Severe penalties for withdrawing from representative duties without reasonable excuse – for example, suspensions and/or fines.
- Rugby league to lobby EA Sports to develop a comprehensive rugby league video game.
- Player wages to be made public (salary cap contract only).
- NRL and ESL international combines to develop Tier 2 and Tier 3 national players, similar to the NFL international program.
- Sydney teams to lobby NRL and state government for funding of an undercover 20,000-seat stadium for each team – the return of tribalism to mirror football (aka soccer) fanaticism.
Lastly and most importantly, the NRL must sign Peter V’Landys to a lifetime contract. His unequivocal support for rugby league has been a breath of fresh air and someone we as fans can finally look to as a true leader of the game.
Here’s to another 125 years of the greatest game of all prospering through thick and thin, and this three-part post-COVID series, Roarers, is how it can be achieved.
Boom
Guest
Living in fantasy land if you think EA sports will produce a Rugby League game (last title for Rugby League they touched was in 96). Not enough of a fan base for them to bother working on it when FIFA and Madden are flagship titles and massive money earners. I'd even think you'd be hard pressed getting 2K to make it. Better of getting the NRL to pair up witht he likes of Big Ant, who have made some passable NRL titles. TRUBLU need to let go of the reigns.
KMA
Guest
Completely agree with you there mate. The one ref needs to be more consistent with his/her own call, and this is the main issue with the 6 again. Introducing 2 refs however will only cause more confusion and inconsistencies, much like GF2019 six again call. Definitely easier to tell one person to ref to the same rule, than to tell 2 people to ref like twins.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
My point with the 6 again being inconsistent is that referee A will call a 6 again set on a regulation tackle that takes 3 seconds for tackler to clear the ruck, but in the same game allow a regulation tackle that takes the defender 5 seconds to clear the ruck. We're seeing the impact of the 6 gain set, so they need to be able to be consistent with it's application, and they are just not.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Definitely keen to see the end of golden point too btw, Storm vs Roosters the other week was a cracker but only because of what happened in the 80 minutes of normal time, would've been just as good a match without the 5 minutes of Russian roulette tacked on at the end
RKO
Guest
The sport is growing more and more in popularity, not the other way around. Although still a minnow compared to soccer and union, things are set in place for league to gain traction and prosper internationally in the years to come. Comments like yours contribute to why the international game is being held back. Also what can’t the game afford? Rule changes?
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Hi BT, what specifically cant the sport afford?
Daniel John
Roar Pro
They wouldnt drop the prices to that but they should - it isnt as if the crowds are full every game so this might entice more ppl to go. . But you do bring up a very important point in parking - now that the NSW teams are seeking a 20k stadium each, theyll need to design a large parking lot for sure - critical . To your public transport idea, im not 100% on other teams but Canterbury games at ANZ always offered free transport with a prepurchased ticket
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
You're kidding yourself with those ticket prices. It would be great but yours about 30 years too late. $10 gets you into a reserve grade game and as much as I'd like to see cheaper tickets it won't happen. As a member I get in to home games for free so fans should take up memberships if they are that worried about ticket prices. One thing I'd like to see is free public transport to every NRL game with a pre purchased ticket or if your are a member. Just makes going to the game a bit cheaper and encourages fans to go, especially if the NRL insist on hanging onto suburban grounds where there isn't any parking
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It's a union rule (or a slight variation of)
Daniel John
Roar Pro
KMA, i’ll put my two cents in as well here because you bring up some valid points. . Hundred percent on board with your play the ball qualms. Mitigating an advantage from an illegal action needs to be the focus, players need to play by the rules and be more disciplined for sure. . The 7 tackle set was supposed to disadvantage the side kicking the ball dead if the intent was to kick it dead, going for a try is not intent to kick it dead so ridding the 7 tackle set for try scoring opportunities as well as field goals needs to be the way forward. . 6-again has been a revelation imo, keeping the flow of the game high and engaging fans more.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
NOIP, that suggestion is one ive never heard and actually sounds like a decent idea - obviously there would be some issues around it but in theory not a bad suggestion. . With the NRL docos, it would just be different to get a look into the inner sanctum and see how players and coaches prepare day in day out. Would be cracker to watch.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
I agree, very grey area and should be changed to what u suggest
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Would be harder for them to police the ruck with one ref, but just some of those play the balls are a joke - sideline refs should speak up if anything.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Cheers WB, the two pro comps for our game need to cooperate so much more and align their comps better and assist every other comp. For scrums, they should be packed by the proper positions and like u said, contest them and make them interesting
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Yeah, hopeful for those ticket reductions. The reduction to 6 will be another positive no doubt, just hopefully doesnt dramatically gas out sides which i doubt it will. The 7 tackle set is good but only like you and i have suggested with kicks from outside 20/30m (omitting FGs)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
One rule I would like to see changed is if the ball goes dead in goals. Scrap the 7 tackle restart (except off drop goal attempt), and the restart begins from the point the kick was made, or the 20 - which ever is greater Also, The Last Dance was succesful because it was an absolute icon who rarely is open with the media telling his story. In league every former player is only too willing to tell-all at any given time
KMA
Guest
Just wanted to throw some points for discussion from the comments youve put up. I'm a big advocate for cleaning the play the ball, there have been multiple cases where players have not attempted to play the ball correctly at all (one that is always in my mind is Maumalo with the high knee play the ball, and considerable daylight between foot and ball). The reason why I believe the ball needs to be played with the foot is because it introduces control within the ruck, and prevents players from just walking over the ball shaving half a second, which for someone like Tedesco, is all they need to clean up through the middle. In addition, those players not on their feet playing the ball? Penalise. Now to your point about the one referee, understand it is a lot for the one person, however, there is always 1 touch who is marking the 10 with the defence, and 1 touch judge who is watching the ruck. Can this not be a task with them? With regards to kicking the ball dead, I believe the intent would be to promote more attacking intent where we could see events such as Michael Jennings Grand Final 2013 try. I'd say limit it to no 7 tackle set if and only if youre within the opposition 10 metre line. Rather than just get tackled on 5th, I would hope to see teams chance it on 5th and only risk a 6 tackle set. With the six again rule, we now know momentum can swing very easily and march you up the field. A statement with your six again reset argument has me confused and it would be great to have clarification. You've stated that there is inconsistency with which the rule is applied, in part due to one ref. I would assume with one ref, there is no inconsistency because one ref makes the judgement on whether it is or is not an infringement. I do however agree that if you are stating that NRL referees in general are inconsistent which each other over some of the ruling. We look for consistency between referees and this is the ultimate goal, but I do understand that they are not robots with the same lines of code, and a quick judgement call at real time speed is what they're working off. Really open for discussion on both mine and your points, and to learn and the wider communities viewpoints.
Boonterry
Guest
You are going on as if Rugby League is a big and international sport Daniel! The sport can't afford 99% of the stuff you bought up
Nico
Roar Rookie
One rule I'd like to see changed is when a defender knocks the ball out of an attacker's hand it's ruled as a knock on against the defender. It always becomes very murky drawing the line between a loose carry and a play at the ball. I'd just like to see it ruled a knock on regardless, if a defender is good enough to dislodge the ball then they should probably get rewarded
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I think demanding referees crack down on play the ball infringements but only wanting one referee contradict each other. I also think teams should absolutely be punished for kicking the ball dead - regardless of where they are on the field. Putting up cross field bombs and grubber kicks should be last resorts for trying to score. Letting teams just try to barge over knowing they can always try the lottery of the kick with minimal pain for failing to execute will send the game backward. I'm not sold on the six again resets. Again last night the inconsistency with which they are applied (again, in part because there is only one ref trying to police everything) can have a huge impact on the game. I know it isn't popular opinion, but i don't think it works. Some of your other ideas are solid though