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The remaining results from the NRL coaches survey have been released, with rule changes high on everyone’s list.
Following on from Wednesday’s piece on The Roar with their thoughts around concussion, rugby union and Pride Round, the coaches have now put forward their ideas on what they want to be added – and removed – from the rule book.
According to the News Corp survey, the seven-tackle set seems to be causing a lot of frustration, with 8.3 per cent of coaches wanting it scrapped. They are not fans of seeing the defending team rewarded with an extra play the ball after the attacking team has made an error scoring a try or kicked the ball over the dead ball line, and want it removed from the game.
One coach was very passionate about their desire to see that rule abolished: “Conceding seven tackles for an error in the act of scoring. F—ing archaic dog shit rule.’’
8.3 per cent also wasn’t to see golden point changed to golden try, and the same amount want the changes to the bunker. This included having the bunker muted, but others wanted more drastic measures, with one admitting: “Remove the bunker – still too much human error.”
12.5 per cent want the rules around stripping the ball to be amended, with the same number wanting to see changes to the six-again rule. One coach believes there should be “No six again off charge downs.”
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
8.3 per cent want interchange to be looked at, with one coach going as far as saying there should be “no interchanges – just four reserves.”
The officiating of the game also came under the microscope, with 25 per cent giving a rating of four out of five. 33 per cent awarded three out of five, 38 per cent said two out of five, with just four per cent giving a very low one out of five.
As expected, no one gave five out of five, but no one gave zero either, so that’s a positive.
Keeping with the officials, the majority of coaches weren’t happy with how protected they are if errors are made during a game. With the NRL taking a strong stance on protecting officials from receiving too much backlash, 67 per cent of coaches believe that all criticism towards them should not be banned. 25 per cent were in favour of protecting the referees completely, while 8 per cent chose to not respond.
The introduction of technology to assist with forward passes was an even split with 50 per cent wanting it brought in, and 50 per cent wanting it kept out of the game.
There is obvious strain between the coaches and the NRL, with 79 per cent believing that are not consulted enough by the administration on matters relating to the game. Eight per cent were happy with the level of communication, while 13 per cent did not give an answer.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Another interesting find from the survey was the overwhelming response of Nathan Cleary being voted the best player outside of the individual coach’s club. 57 per cent put the Panthers halfback at the top, with the Storm’s Cameron Munster getting 17 per cent and Roosters skipper James Tedesco getting 13 per cent.
Surprisingly, Sharks halfback and 2022 Dally M Player of the Year Nicho Hynes received no votes.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was the runaway favourite for the current best coach, receiving a whopping 67 per cent of the votes. Cronulla’s Craig Fitzgibbon received 13 per cent, and back-to-back premiership coach Ivan Cleary got eight per cent.
Even more surprising than Hynes not getting any votes, Dragons Anthony Griffin also received no votes for best coach.