The NRL could implement a new bunker policy as soon as next year after they declared their final-round experiment a success.
Under protocols trialled in two matches, referees only referred decisions to the bunker if their on-field decision was that of a no-try.
In all other cases, a try was awarded before the bunker quickly reviewed footage to see if it needed further analysis before the kicker lined up his conversion.
The results were significant.
According to NRL figures, Manly’s loss to the Warriors ran for just shy of 96 minutes despite 14 tries being scored with just one stoppage for the bunker.
In the other experimental match between Brisbane and North Queensland, nine tries were scored as the game lasted 97 minutes with three bunker referrals.
In comparison, Canberra’s win over Cronulla using the normal process took 110 minutes with eight bunker referrals.
That did, however, include a stoppage for a referee injury.
“The figures speak for themselves with the use of the bunker,” NRL head of football Graham Annesley said.
“One of the primary reasons for that is the stoppages we have for bunker referrals.
“When you reduce the bunker referrals, you obviously reduce the amount of time it takes to play a game.”
Annesley said that could mean the process could be used in all games in 2021, pending NRL meetings over the off-season.
“Absolutely [we would look at implementing this full time], all of these things will be fully explored,” he said.
“What the experimental rule we used on the weekend in these two games allowed us to do was still to have that level of accuracy but without stopping the game.
“In terms of accuracy we didn’t lose anything. In terms of the amount of times the referee referred to the bunker, we saw a significant reduction.”
Notably, no balls were kicked into touch in the two experimental games, meaning the handover did not replace the scrum at all.
However that could be considered a success, as it arguably prompted the four teams to keep the ball in play.
Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the amount of penalties or repeat set numbers with offsides awarded as six-agains.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Yes, they have this in soccer for offside.
Nick
Roar Guru
Nah - put up a line...if the ball goes in front of it it's forward. Screw this "momentum" or "hands were facing back" crap.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, radio commentators dissect it and stay calm, while on TV Phil Gould has a stroke.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Sorry but you are asking the bunker to do things the technology is not capable of. If you are lucky enough to have a camera level with the passer and you get a good view of their hands at the same time then OK but it rarely happens. We need the bunker ruling on LESS things not more. Ruling on forward passes will kill me and I have a family to support.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To be fair, no they aren't as harsh unless it is a real ballbreaker. But that doesn't answer the question as to why the NRL Bunker can't rule on forward passes (obviously only for tries)
Nat
Roar Rookie
Are the RU commentary teams as harsh on the refs as league? I remember them blowing up at the RWC19 (Marto is still morning breaky radio presenter in Brisy) but I thik that was more because the Aussies were on the end of the new high tackle rules. It is astounding that the NRL has a bloke having to defend a decision stemming from a video replay.
Nat
Roar Rookie
That is one upside of the bunker. As soon as those hands go in the air, hit the head, crack a beer and prep dinner. I have the radio on in the kitchen (approx 20secs ahead of TV) so you know when it's time to mosey back in. It is funny listening to the narrative between the different commentary teams.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I sometimes think having an in goal referee would be much better (and cheaper). We still see some horrendous decisions from the Bunker and why on earth can't the Bunker rule on forward passes. They have lines across the field every 10 metres. Union TMOs have ruled on forward passes reasonably correctly for ages without the number of cross field lines.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Easy fix: 1) Sack Sutton and Klein. 2) Re-train the Touch Judges - explain to them they have only 1 job to do. 3) Bunker officials / Touch Judges need to have an eyesight test and mental acuity test. 4) Annesley needs to go.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
and 3) make some personnel changes. We've seen Maxwell and Klein make enough errors on howlers to know they shouldn't be in the bunker.
Andy_p
Roar Rookie
I don't understand why it even takes so long just to get the replay started - like it takes ages to come off pause. It's like they're using dial up internet. And for some decisions like grounding if the ball or double movement it should only be normal speed - no slow mows.
Nick
Roar Guru
Good. Cause it was a freaking jamberoo before the bear patrol.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I get a beer, clean out my sock drawer and only come back into the room when my wife yells it’s over. Watching 15 bunker replays only to hear ‘ insufficient evidence’ is proven to destroy grey matter.
Adam
Roar Guru
The strip rule is broken. Unless a player actually takes possession and then drops it it should really be a knock on by the ball carrier, as they are the ones that have lost control of the ball
Adam
Roar Guru
The bear patrols around here are working too
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
I miss the super slo-mo replays of spectacular tries on my super big HD TV. With this new system we get one replay from one angle and it is up to the director to use the best replay which they often miss. Cutting out the bunker makes the game less of a TV viewer experience. Also I'm fatigued with all the old players harping on about bringing fatigue 'back' into the game and therefore pushing for less stoppage time, as if its a holiday out there. Todays players are much bigger and fitter now than they were back then, so the game is different, I'd say it is better, so give them a rest occasionally as the bunker reviews tries. The "set restart" is doing the job on fatigue leave the bunker out of it.
Nick
Roar Guru
I have a rock - and no tigers have attacked me. Therefore the rock protects me from tigers. Speaks for itself really.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Those were my thoughts too We also had a scenario where players were racing to take the shot at goal to avoid the video ref the opportunity to review, so it’s not sorted yet...but rather than plan for that, the NRL will wait for it to go wrong and make more changes But I think it’s a good step forward The best changes the bunker can make is to 1) forget 20 replays and obscure rulings to focus on eliminating the howler and 2) sort out the strip / loose carries mess...it’s only a strip if it’s obviously a strip...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Agree, he has no idea on what the figures mean.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the Ref decides to Refer but can only refer if he rules no try. He can rule no try, obvious dropped ball without referring. The NRL is finally starting to see that the bunker us eroding the spontaneous enjoyment of a try being scored. Now they need to drop the truly aweful Captains Challenge.