NRL announces rule changes

[hobbo1]

NRL cracks down on ‘tactical’ breaches as it tweaks six again – again
Adam Pengilly
By Adam Pengilly
May 5, 2021 — 3.59pm
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NRL teams that deliberately infringe in the ruck early in the tackle count will risk being penalised and having players sent to the sin bin as the code tweaks its use of the controversial six-again rule.

As coaches continue to instruct their players to concede six-agains to allow their defensive line to get set, the NRL has given its strongest indication it won’t tolerate the tactic.

The code issued a strong statement on Wednesday railing against the “tactical breaches”, with Champion Data claiming more than 60 per cent of six-again calls have been made on the first and second tackles this season.

More than 33 per cent were on the first play alone as players surrendered an extra tackle to allow their defence to get organised.

“On-field officials will consider appropriate use of a penalty and sin bin, if it’s considered necessary under the circumstances, to ensure a higher level of compliance, including for repeat infringements or deliberate infringements early in the set,” the NRL said in a statement.

“This does not need to be the same player on consecutive occasions. The team receives a general warning and the next player that infringes in the ensuing period could be sin binned. When the six again was introduced it allowed for penalties and sin binning for repeated offences.”

The six again rule was introduced to reduce the impact of refereeing on NRL games but has actually empowered the whistleblowers further.
The six again rule was introduced to reduce the impact of refereeing on NRL games but has actually empowered the whistleblowers further.CREDIT:GETTY, NRL PHOTOS

**In the face of criticism from commentators and fans about the awarding of six-agains with little in-game explanation, the NRL will now highlight the nature of each breach – whether it be a ruck infringement or offside – on big screens and over the public address system.**

**It is also working with broadcasters to ensure the reasons for each six-again call is communicated to viewers, who have been left confused about referee calls given the rapid nature of play in the modern era.**

The NRL has also urged match officials to have “minimal tolerance” for avoidable contact with the head or neck in the strongest hint yet the game will be littered with more send offs and sin binnings.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley issued an impassioned plea only last week for players to reduce the amount of contact with the head or neck in the face of escalating match review committee charges this year.

“While incidental or minor contact will continue to be penalised and potentially placed on report, on-field officials and the NRL bunker have been encouraged to use the sin bin or send-off mechanisms for contact deemed careless or reckless and involving a significant degree of force around the head and neck,” the NRL said.

Only last week Annesley said Dragons winger Jordan Pereira should have been sent off for a high shot that concussed Roosters star James Tedesco and ruled him out of the rest of the Anzac Day clash.

Pereira, who was sent to the sin bin, received a three-week ban for the tackle.

@hobbo1 bout bloody time...

Yay ...MeXiCaN WaVe

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

This is logical and should have been in place from the start. Realistically any infringement when coming out of your own 20 should be a penalty.

 

[JC99]

So they're fixing the new rules by partly bringing back the old rules... geniuses this lot 😂

 

[hobbo1]

So they're fixing the new rules by partly bringing back the old rules... geniuses this lot 😂

It’s probably costing 30k to add more buttons to the bunker console 😂

 

[rustycage]

These new rules will only apply to certain teams. We all know it

 

[JC99]

These new rules will only apply to certain teams. We all know it

That's the problem, more calls up to the discretion of the ref. Won't be long until we see situations that are similar and one ref gives a sin bin and another won't.

 

[The_Patriot]

NRL cracks down on ‘tactical’ breaches as it tweaks six again – again
Adam Pengilly
By Adam Pengilly
May 5, 2021 — 3.59pm
Save
Share
Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size
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NRL teams that deliberately infringe in the ruck early in the tackle count will risk being penalised and having players sent to the sin bin as the code tweaks its use of the controversial six-again rule.

As coaches continue to instruct their players to concede six-agains to allow their defensive line to get set, the NRL has given its strongest indication it won’t tolerate the tactic.

The code issued a strong statement on Wednesday railing against the “tactical breaches”, with Champion Data claiming more than 60 per cent of six-again calls have been made on the first and second tackles this season.

More than 33 per cent were on the first play alone as players surrendered an extra tackle to allow their defence to get organised.

“On-field officials will consider appropriate use of a penalty and sin bin, if it’s considered necessary under the circumstances, to ensure a higher level of compliance, including for repeat infringements or deliberate infringements early in the set,” the NRL said in a statement.

“This does not need to be the same player on consecutive occasions. The team receives a general warning and the next player that infringes in the ensuing period could be sin binned. When the six again was introduced it allowed for penalties and sin binning for repeated offences.”

The six again rule was introduced to reduce the impact of refereeing on NRL games but has actually empowered the whistleblowers further.
The six again rule was introduced to reduce the impact of refereeing on NRL games but has actually empowered the whistleblowers further.CREDIT:GETTY, NRL PHOTOS

**In the face of criticism from commentators and fans about the awarding of six-agains with little in-game explanation, the NRL will now highlight the nature of each breach – whether it be a ruck infringement or offside – on big screens and over the public address system.**

**It is also working with broadcasters to ensure the reasons for each six-again call is communicated to viewers, who have been left confused about referee calls given the rapid nature of play in the modern era.**

The NRL has also urged match officials to have “minimal tolerance” for avoidable contact with the head or neck in the strongest hint yet the game will be littered with more send offs and sin binnings.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley issued an impassioned plea only last week for players to reduce the amount of contact with the head or neck in the face of escalating match review committee charges this year.

“While incidental or minor contact will continue to be penalised and potentially placed on report, on-field officials and the NRL bunker have been encouraged to use the sin bin or send-off mechanisms for contact deemed careless or reckless and involving a significant degree of force around the head and neck,” the NRL said.

Only last week Annesley said Dragons winger Jordan Pereira should have been sent off for a high shot that concussed Roosters star James Tedesco and ruled him out of the rest of the Anzac Day clash.

Pereira, who was sent to the sin bin, received a three-week ban for the tackle.

@hobbo1 bout bloody time...

As @ Rustycage said this will only apply to to the team that is expected to lose.

The only good part of these changes is the realisation that the refs need to be accountable for these 6 again calls and need to explain why they made such calls. This will help.

 

[JD Tiger]

These new rules will only apply to certain teams. We all know it

That's the problem, more calls up to the discretion of the ref. Won't be long until we see situations that are similar and one ref gives a sin bin and another won't.

Or one ref sin bins a player from one team for something, and in the same game, the same ref decides to not sin bin a player from the other team for the same sort of thing.

I'd almost consider in every tackle they institute a timer that rings a bell, signalling to start getting off the tackled player in each tackle. Another bell where if they're still on the player, penalty. Very regimental, but I'm sick of the subjectivity by those in charge and don't trust them to want to get it right.

 

[joeblock]

This is logical and should have been in place from the start. Realistically any infringement when coming out of your own 20 should be a penalty.

That's the problem, more calls up to the discretion of the ref. Won't be long until we see situations that are similar and one ref gives a sin bin and another won't.

Exactly @jc99, Discretion=inconsistency. inconsistency invariably suffered more by lower ranked/lower profile sides.

I think the six again concept is overall positive. But yes being exploited😲.

Surely some tweaks with set parameters would be logical, agree with @chicken_faced_killa.

1- no six agains when coming out of own 20, penalty every time.
no team wants to be turned around running back whilst the opposition kicks for touch for a free 20m+

2- no six agains on zero or 1st tackle anywhere on the field.
This would take away that cynical six again after early set line break, dropped ball in own half, dropout, etc.
the risk would be the opposition choosing to take a shot for penalty goal as opposed to a few extra tackles with a reset defensive line.
(actually using the sin bin for professional fouls would be a good deterrent of #2 also)

tweaking six agains with an established framework going forward for referees, coaches, players, fans to follow.
Ive convinced me. 🙃

 

[jadtiger]

These new rules will only apply to certain teams. We all know it

The main beneficeries will be souffs,rorters and eels and the teams to suffer will be the teams in the bottom 4 including us.Klein would have a smile all over his face now looking forward to the weekends game

 

[diedpretty]

This is logical and should have been in place from the start. Realistically any infringement when coming out of your own 20 should be a penalty.

I,d take it further and only have 6 agains inside the attacking 40 Mrs. However if a side is only 2 points behind should always be a penalty.

 

[Moh]

Expect a lot more sin bins then.