2008 NRL Rule Adjustments

26th December 2007

The 2008 National Rugby League (NRL) Premiership will include two experimental rule amendments to the laws of the game as well as changes to the interpretation used by referees in six key areas. The most significant will be a reduction in the number of interchanges from 12 interchanges per game (using a maximum four replacement players) to 10 per game (using a maximum of four replacement players) and the confirmation of measures to combat ‘contact with the head or neck’ by tacklers – often referred to as grapple tackles. Approval from the RLIF Executive members to allow the NRL to implement two experimental rule changes was received on Christmas eve and concluded a rule revue process which canvassed the views of coaches, players (both current and former), referees, Chief Executives, Club Chairman and the Boards of the NRL and ARL. Interpretation changes within the NRL Premiership do not require RLIF approval.

The approved experimental amendments to the Laws of the Game are:

  • 1. The number of interchanges to be reduced from 12 to 10 per game
  • 2. Ball stripping permitted if the ball-carrier is in the act of attempting to ground the ball for a try.

    Approved Refereeing interpretation amendments are:

    Grapple Tackle/Wrestling/Dominant Tackle:

    ‘Grapple’ tackles should be eliminated from the game

  • A tackler making any accidental/incidental contact with head or neck will be required to immediately release contact from that area
  • Any prolonged contact with head or neck is to be penalised and in more severe cases charged by Judiciary
  • In tackles where a player uses his body weight to bend and exert pressure on another players head/neck (i.e. ‘The Crusher’), these tackles are to be treated by the Judiciary as “very serious” incidents and graded accordingly
  • Referees must be consistent and enforce throughout the entire season
  • Less tolerance will be shown by referees when players are held in upright tackles as a method of slowing the play-the-ball
  • Legs of players held in upright tackles should not be lifted or targeted

    Balance between attack & defence/Speed of the game

  • Referees are to require scrums to bind better with props on the ‘feeding- side’ to have outside leg forward with half-back feeding the ball into the tunnel. This should help to minimise forwards breaking early and play breaking down at scrum base
  • Referees are to allow quick 20 metre restarts once officials are in position regardless of whether defence is ready or not

    Use of Video Technology

  • Referees to be permitted to ask video ref to check on ball stripping if unsure (to be confirmed subject to NRL reaching agreement with broadcasters on a suitable process so the game is not unnecessarily delayed)

    Protecting Kickers

  • It is the responsibility of the tackler or tacklers not to make dangerous contact with kickers (i.e. if a tackler decides to target a kicker and this results in any dangerous contact the tackler must face the consequences)
  • One indicator of this would be a defender who leaves the ground when attempting a tackle or charge down resulting in contact with the kicker after the ball has been kicked

    Time Wasting

  • Clubs will be advised of a standard acceptable time for goal line restarts and if this time is exceeded the referee will warn once and then award a penalty kick 10 metres out if the warning is ignored. The video referee will monitor the time and advise the referee accordingly

    Players getting head start on 10 metres at ruck

  • Referees to be more vigilant

    NSW Cup(Reserve Grade) Qualification Changes

  • The player must have played the same or more games in NSW Cup than NRL to qualify for the finals. The old qualification of playing 5 matches in the last 9 rounds no longer applies.

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