Six Again? A Fundamental Change!

When the NRL returned from its enforced hiatus, with it came some changes. Fake crowd noise and cardboard cut-outs to name but two. Something I certainly never thought we would see. These changes are temporary and the real fans (as opposed to Dominic Cummings cardboard cut-outs) will populate stadiums again.

One change that will have greater permanence is the 'set restart' rule. For those who don't know, where a side holds down for too long, a penalty is no longer awarded. Instead, the tackle count returns to zero. In theory, this could lead to several repeat sets and the offending team not getting a pause and a chance to reset their defence that a penalty brings.

It would be revisionist to suggest that wrestling has never formed part of rugby league. Yet it would be naïve to say it hasn't become more prevalent in the last 10 to 15 years. Many teams now employ wrestling coaches. Teams that have mastered the art of slowing down the play-the-ball have enjoyed great success in both hemispheres.

This rule change by the NRL suggests that they have had enough. They believe that there is too much of an emphasis on 'the wrestle' and that it detracts from the sport.

In the first round since this change was made, there were a few 'blow-out' scores and some again this week. Although we must accept the games were broadly closer this week. Was this because of the new rule, or just a coincidence? We will probably need a whole season's worth of data to find out.

On the face of it, the faster game and the punishment of negative tactics is a good thing. But if it materially disadvantages lower teams, then we have a problem. I am not in favour of measures designed to artificially create competition, such as when Super League expanded the play offs to eight teams. However, creating gaps between sides where such gaps did not exist before is unhelpful.

Furthermore, the rules have gaps. What if a side is 1 point down and get a set restart instead of a chance to take the lead? Yes, officials can blow a penalty if holding down is a professional foul, but that is rarely the case. I would like to see an option of attacking side stopping play at the point of a set restart to have the choice of a penalty kick.

Rugby League only has two professional leagues. Yet it has three sets of rules. What I have not mentioned so far is that it is very unhelpful that the NRL unilaterally changes rules. Super League often follows, in part to ensure that we are playing the same sport!

Whether this rule change is a positive or not, greater efforts for rule changes to be collectively considered is essential.

As for the set restart...do I want to see it in Super League? Not yet. A 'wait and see' approach appears to be the best course of action. Let's assess the impact on games, results and the spectacle throughout the 2020 NRL campaign. The English game can then make its own mind up following a considered review of the evidence.