A two-point field goal for successful shots beyond 40m will be introduced in the next NRL season as one of multiple rule changes endorsed by the Australian Rugby League Commission on Friday.
The radical rule will be introduced in an effort to increase the chance of a result changing in the final stages of a game.
It comes alongside the retention of the controversial six-again rule for 10m and ruck infringements, tweaks to the scrum, captain’s challenge, play-the-ball and trainer protocols designed to speed up the game.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the innovative rule changes would lead to faster games and more unpredictability.
“These innovations will lead to less stoppages, more unpredictability and increased excitement for our fans,” he said.
“The message from the fans and our broadcasters has been clear; the game became too predictable and the balance between attack and defence had gone too far in favour of defence.
“Our changes last year were successful in addressing some of those challenges and the changes announced today will take the element of unpredictability and entertainment a step further.”
V’landys hopes the field goal tweak encourages teams to attack until the final siren in each half and came after a survey of NRL account holder and club members.
“You’ve got to give the customer what they want,” he said.
“It is clear the new innovations last season were a success … the six again rule has addressed the biggest issue that was in the game and that was the wrestle.
“The changes have sped up the ruck and made the game more free flowing which is exactly what the Commission wanted to see.”
RULE CHANGES FOR 2021 SEASON
* 2 points for field goals outside the 40m line.
* Six again for 10 metre infringements and professional fouls in ruck
* Penalty if players break from scrum before referee calls ‘break’ when satisfied the ball is out of the scrum.
* Play the ball restart when the ball is kicked or carried into touch.
* Handover for incorrect play the ball
* Review retained, but on-field decision stands, where a captain’s challenge is inconclusive.
* Bunker reviews done in background after on-field try is awarded, with conversion attempt not permitted until bunker is satisfied a try has been scored.
* Injured players must be interchanged or taken off for two minutes before they can return if trainer asks a match official to stop a game for injury.
Nico
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I'm the opposite, Players should be able to run out 80 minutes. I would be happy to see interchanges restricted further to stop teams carrying forwards who can only play for 50-60 minutes. Love the big guys, but hoe many games did Papali or NAS run out for the full 80 this year? Down with part time players!
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
It would take a lot of balls and skill, so I don't see why it shouldn't be appropriately rewarded
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Great point :thumbup:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I'm a fan and I'm happy to see them. great way to put some heat on a team if you are 6 points up, it's that extra bit of psychological pressure to say that a converted try still does not give you the lead
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Agree people want to justify their new $20,000 bonus so they make changes and then say "look, I did this!". Once the change is on the books, the organisation is forced to back it for at least a few years so that they don't look like the idiots who changed something for the sake of it. If enough people forget, or there is an opportunity, then later (preferably when Mr Bonus who first orchestrated it has recieved a golden parachute and is no longer in the picture), the change quietly dissapears.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
V'Landys was so keen to find some way to get SBW into a Roosters jumper in 2020 that for a while I thought he was going to publicly offer to blow him
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Don't need that Sutton is pretty good at finding ways to equalise already :angry:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Melbourne don't cheat, they analyse and adapt. If the rules have loopholes, they are smart enough to exploit them. It's just one of the reasons that they are the current premiers despite their serious disadvantages this year. It is one of the reasons why they have just been judged Australia's most successful sporting club. They will continue to play within the scope of these new rule changes, and will almost certainly be in the top end of the ladder again, because that's what a successful team does.
Emcie
Roar Guru
They had to get rid of it before Farrah came through, he would’a been waving the markers away whenever he got tackled :silly:
Nico
Roar Rookie
Not up on Farah's shenanigans but seem to remember the rule had been booted before his time. Fittler scored a contentious try by playing the ball forward from 2 metres out in the '96 finals which makes me think it would be a decent rule so long as it can't be done inside the attacking 10m
Rob
Guest
It was a gamble that put the wait of the Government’s gambling and media revenue directly against price of public health. Fortunately the community and players were able play their part extremely well on the whole.
Rob
Guest
100%. Vlandy’s is a fixer/ medlar with a penchant for increasing gambling revenue IMO. He’s a gambler at heart with a love of swimming against the rip. He gambled against the virus and somehow pulled of a Hail Mary but changing the rules on a consistent basis is bordering on a God like ego.
Rob
Guest
It’s like a MILF grubber of the knee while attempting a dummy.
Rob
Guest
That was a classic bonkers rule interpretation. Just like the Storm V Dragon “no try” ruling, go back to a Storm penalty being awarded for a Dragon player infringement in the ruck. One of many the many bonkers blunders.
Adam
Roar Guru
Absolutely no idea.we had a few phases too where i would have thought a kick would go up
Rob
Guest
V’landy’s is Rugby Leagues version of Trump. Comes along with all these brilliant snap decisions with the one vision his own? Change is good but chaos is destined to divide. What I see is lots more grey opinion calls creating manipulation unfortunately for entertainment. Gambling has played a huge part in V’landy’s CV. It might just be the money driving his agenda? Creating a better spectacle by rejiggering the rules? Players playing Rugby League have always created the spectacle IMO. But I’m probably old school. If players played the ball correctly on the mark maybe the hold down wouldn’t be so critical. Players getting penalised for contact above the shoulders would help create ball movement and minimise wrestling? Allowing players to be rewarded for a low one on one instead of punished? Not rewarding submissions tackles? What happened to voluntary tackles ? If players get driven back into the in goal one on one without lifting between the legs why not reward the defenders? I think many of the news rules are being created because basic football rules are being chosen to be ignored? Putting more officials under pressure with the opinion rulings (6 again is okay but it’s not touch and an interpretation in the 1st 40 doesn’t change after halftime) because we need to keep the crowd engaged. Game manipulation is taking precedence and I’m not sure it’s making enjoyment for many supporters of the game. I don’t have a major problem with some of the changes but I do think the desire to make the game more entertaining for fans with more points being scored is somewhat short sighted. Cricket is not better to watch because more runs are scored. Soccer is not supported more with scores of 10-12. I find a 40-42 result rubbish and certainly not more exciting than 8-10.
Big Daddy
Guest
Hand over when the ball is played incorrectly. Good luck with that. All these rule changes are rules that affect referee's KPI s so it's not to benefit the game it's taking responsibility off the referees.
Only due to Golden Point draws
Nat
Roar Rookie
"We're going to screw you with this call but you've kept the opportunity for us to screw you again later."