Five rule changes to take the NRL to the next level

Since scrums stopped being a real contest they have become an issue. And whilst yes in days past there was a lot of wasted time with incorrect feeds, collapsing scrums etc a good rake could change the course of a game. I like the scrums being held in centre field, what I don’t like is anybody from a half to a winger can pack in a scrum. People argue the forwards need a rest and a scrum gives that, but that’s not right as some of the forwards are well away from the scrum ready to be part of the next 2 plays.

All of them interesting but we need to eliminate the arbitrary decisions such as inside the ten metres, especially on the goal line. Players should have both feet behind the line. That way a linesperson can clearly see who is not behind the line and players can easily see if both feet are behind the line more easily than their back foot. We also need the dual referee system back to control faster moving games. Also reduces perceptions of bias. Finally, we need team loyalty from the players not just the fans.

I was a big proponent of getting rid of scrums but I have modified that stance to just having them when you find touch with a kick. That way if you want to earn a rest for your team you need to execute a skill to get it. Every other instance of a scrum in the current rules would just be a change over.

Touch or Ladies Tag.

One rule change I’d like to see ... well it’s not so much a change ... is an edict that refs and the Bunker are prohibited from calling things that clearly moved back, forward on the basis of ‘this is how we usually do it’ reasoning. They should feel empowered to throw off the shackles of nonsensical tradition and apply the rules of physics.

“particularly as blockers for kickers on the fifth tackle.” This is obstruction (Stopping in the defensive line) but referees don't view it this way due to transition of possession from kicks. So I totally agree it’s a punishable offence. I don’t have an issue with trainers cause they can’t tackle/catch/pass but understand a fans frustration behind this.

League is about scrums. Bring back real scrums. I’d like the scrums to push again. They just need to pack in safer. The game is a joke now by the farce of weak scrumming. I’d like to see trialled the hooker being ‘unbound’ by keeping his arms down and have the props bind to him. This way I believe the hooker could easily break the scrum if a collapse is imminent. Just a thought.

I like your sin bin/scrum idea. I'd also like to see penalties when attacking players are offside at the ruck, particularly as blockers for kickers on the fifth tackle. And get the endless trainers/on-field coaches off the field.

Is there a problem with feeding the scrum dead centre and the hookers fighting for it? None of this second row feed rubbish; looks really stupid. When I was a feed side prop me & my opposite number lifted to open up the vision for our hooker. That was common. All of us in the pack were fighting to win that ball. Scrum half gets one warning on a bad feed & second time is penalised. Seriously, it's meant to be a scrum to win possession!

I’d call it “Bunker Heaven”

Couldn’t disagree more with these proposed rule changes as it’s basically making it full sized field “kick it touch” not RL. In response to your points below. 1. Fullbacks and Wingers already have to defend 2720m2 against a kick for 40/20’s and 20/40’s. So now they’d have to defend all of the field whilst wingers actually have to also be in the line? What’s to stop a player dropping the ball to foot only to regather on its way up to the hands. Like the old style of tapping the ball we all did in the backyard footy. The attacking team already has an advantage as they can get more players around the ball because defenders have to come up then turn and chase. Keep it how it is. 2. We want a free flowing game not introduce more stops as this power play suggests. I would however like to see any sin bin punished by making all scrums be packed with the full compliment of players. This would punish the offending team by making them attack/defend with a player short from scrum situations. 3. We have reduced penalty goals with the six again. Most RL People want to see tries overs goals but it should remain as an option as it applies to your game situation/ game management options. 4. If you want to abolish anything it should be Golden Point. It’s not needed in round play. A draw is a fair result of a fair contest. Golden Point should only be for finals games but it should only be played after 5 mins each way of extra time. Even then it should be altered. Reason why is because you can win golden point without the opposition touching the ball. Example, It the Grand Final - Roosters are heading for three in a row, it’s golden point, Rooster kick off, in the first possession the opposition kick a field goal/ kick a penalty / score a try to ice the premiership without the Roosters touching the footy in the extra time period. I’m not a Roosters fan so I only use them as a point of reference. substitute your team into that scenario and we can all agree that’s a cruel way to lose what is meant to be a fair contest. 5. Apply my sin bin thoughts listed above to the new rule of selecting where you want it packed. I think that deliberate offside penalties at scrums for offside should be deemed a professional foul. It’s basically the definition of a professional foul - purposely committing an intentional act, because the line can’t move and the scrum can’t break until referee calls “out” this should be easily assessed. This would then feed into my scrum/sin bin thoughts and encourage attacking play further at scrums. As it stands, the offending team gets the advantage from being offside at scrums, they know the other team can’t kick for goal because it’s a “ deferential penalty” plus they get the added bonus of a full defensive line across the field. I think these comments still make the game RL. While I encourage ways to make our game better let’s make sure it still looks like our game!

League was a spin-off of union; what would this spin-off be called? Because it certainly wouldn’t be league.

Sorry, really not a fan of any of these changes and can't see them making any real difference to the game. Golden point can be improved by a switch to golden try. If you want to encourage more attacking kicks, remove the seven tackle for kicks made inside the opponent's 20. The offensive team is already punished for a poor kick by giving away 20 metres. You see teams taking a tackle 2 metres and handing the ball over as they don't want to risk 7 tackle set. Power play option = Worst. Idea. Ever. Since the introduction of the set reset instead of a penalties, I don't think the taking of penalty goals is an issue anymore. Things that I think need looking at: -teams giving away "set resets" early in tackle count "deliberately" -defensive teams breaking early at scrums due to lack of real punishment and prefering a set defensive line -length of time taken, while clock still running, when goal kicking

I would go a step further and say no kicking for goals at all except for single point attacking kicks. Just give them 6 points for a try between the posts and 4 points anywhere else.

Not a fan of any of these changes except No.4 - the concepts fine only i'd modify to player removal every 2or3 minutes,5 minute reductions would take to long.If you want to delete something then I would say the Field Goal - teams must score a try in golden point.Field Goal shoot outs during GP are an embarrassment.As for No1 ,the game would turn into hybrid AFL/NRL with an advantage for kicking over passing.

I've recommended point number four in the past and it went up as far as a lead balloon with the punters on the Roar. Golden point would rate the house down if they bought it in because it would be a great spectacle. Touch footy have been doing it for years after trying other options and it's great. Over to you ''crazy'' Pete.

I think your suggestions are well intentioned Brad, but I also think your ideas seek to destroy parts of the game that make it Rugby League. Before commenting on each suggestion, you need to remember that at it's heart, it's about BOTH attack & defence, not just about attack. 1) I disagree with your premise about short kicks. Any player good enough can short kick on tackle one if they choose. In today's Dragons/Raiders game, I saw Matt Dufty kick on tackle 3 and got a repeat set, while Bateman grubber kicked for Croker to score. I suggest there's enough reward already for these types of kicks. What's lacking is both the skill and courage to do them on a regular basis. 2) No. Being able to deliberately send a player off the field at any time is never going to swim. And what do sides gain? The very good sides still have the ability to cope when they're down a player now, so this change would not improve the game at all. 3) Why? It's two points and has been a part of the game since it started. There are plenty of times when sides would kill for two points, like the Tigers on Thursday night against Souths, just to give them the chance of golden point. 4) No. Players IMO should not have to play additional time unless it's a knockout game, eg grand final. If nothing else, this is a player safety issue. We'r already concerned about player workload, increasing risk of injuries through fatigue and you're suggesting making players even more tired by expecting them to play without their full compliment, having just played 80 minutes? 5) This season alone, I've seen some wonderful tries scored from scrums and I've even seen a scrum won against the feed. Again, it's a part of the game that is under utilised in terms of scoring opportunities. You're right watching 6 blokes trying to pack a scrum quickly is comical, but how often does it happen? Rarely yet we see lots of great play from scrums, not just the one off runs you mentioned.

And what do propose that this game will be called?