Refer: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/05/13/commission-makes-call-one-ref-plan-finalised-for-2020/
"........... Under the changes full-time referees will also be used as tough judges to increase the experience in touchline officiating.
"The decision shouldn’t been seen as taking one referee out it should be that we are using three full time experienced referees controlling the game which will ensure greater surveillance of the ruck and the wrestle," V'landys said.
"This decision will significantly reduce the number of stoppages in games and showcase more open unstructured play for the benefit of fans.
"These decisions address the issue of wrestling and slowing the ruck down which has been the biggest issue in the game.”
In tandem with the return to a single referee – which was how the game was officiated prior to 2009 – is a "six-again" rule allowing an attacking team another full set rather than stopping play for a penalty.
That rule was used in the 2012 NRL-Indigenous All Stars game on a trial basis.
"It’s clear the current system hasn’t effectively addressed the issue of wrestling in the game. Reverting to one referee together with the new six again rule gives us a chance to speed up the ruck and create more free flowing rugby league," V’landys said.
"Giving the attacking team six more tackles for a ruck infringement will be a significant deterrent to slowing the ruck.
"No team is going to want to defend multiple sets of tackles without a stoppage in play. This is the greatest disincentive for what has become habitual ruck infringements."
The NRL is the only rugby league competition in the world that uses two referees.
Tests use one referee."
Also, I read that referees will retain the right to issue a full penalty and place players in the sin bin for persistent ruck infringements and professional fouls.
"........... Under the changes full-time referees will also be used as tough judges to increase the experience in touchline officiating.
"The decision shouldn’t been seen as taking one referee out it should be that we are using three full time experienced referees controlling the game which will ensure greater surveillance of the ruck and the wrestle," V'landys said.
"This decision will significantly reduce the number of stoppages in games and showcase more open unstructured play for the benefit of fans.
"These decisions address the issue of wrestling and slowing the ruck down which has been the biggest issue in the game.”
In tandem with the return to a single referee – which was how the game was officiated prior to 2009 – is a "six-again" rule allowing an attacking team another full set rather than stopping play for a penalty.
That rule was used in the 2012 NRL-Indigenous All Stars game on a trial basis.
"It’s clear the current system hasn’t effectively addressed the issue of wrestling in the game. Reverting to one referee together with the new six again rule gives us a chance to speed up the ruck and create more free flowing rugby league," V’landys said.
"Giving the attacking team six more tackles for a ruck infringement will be a significant deterrent to slowing the ruck.
"No team is going to want to defend multiple sets of tackles without a stoppage in play. This is the greatest disincentive for what has become habitual ruck infringements."
The NRL is the only rugby league competition in the world that uses two referees.
Tests use one referee."
Also, I read that referees will retain the right to issue a full penalty and place players in the sin bin for persistent ruck infringements and professional fouls.
