9's Rule Adjustments
A new rule will be introduced for the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines, giving teams a “free play” advantage when the opposing team makes a mistake. The rule is aimed at allowing the team which gains possession from a mistake to attempt a high risk play without fear of losing advantage. Under the rule, the referee will call “zero tackle” when a team gains possession from a knock on, forward pass or accidental offside. That will signal a “free play” which will enable the team which gains possession to have an extended advantage. This means they will retain the ball even if they make a mistake. The advantage will only be complete if the team scores, if a player commits foul play or a player with the ball is tackled. If the ball is dropped or lost before the next play the ball, the referee will order a play the ball at the point of the original infringement.
NRL general manager of football Nathan McGuirk said the rule changed was designed to encourage exciting and high risk play at the Nines. “The Nines is already one of the most entertaining events on the Rugby League calendar,” Mr McGuirk said. “But this rule change will encourage teams gaining possession from a mistake to take a risk because they know they will still retain the ball even if they make a mistake.” In the only major rule change for the Waitangi Weekend spectacular, the NRL has confirmed a “Free Play - Advantage” rule will be in effect during the 2016 tournament. “It gives a team a fantastic opportunity to come up with creative plays; it’s a whole new opportunity from which they can attack with little risk of losing the advantage after an error.” Mr McGuirk said. The rule also means teams can kick the ball on a turnover play and will get it back if the team that committed the error recovers it, and they will also get possession back following a tap down or strip. “We are hoping to see teams take advantage of this rule with some amazing, opportunistic plays, which we think will result in more points and more great tries scored for the fans,” Mr McGuirk said.
Change to NRL Auckland Nines Laws “FREE PLAY” - ADVANTAGE 1. The Referee should look to play advantage wherever possible. a. Following a knock on, forward pass, or accidental offside and where the non-offending team gains possession, the Referee will immediately call and signal “zero tackle” to indicate a “free play” and allow play to continue until the ball is correctly brought into play (or points are scored) at the next play-the-ball, providing the team attempting to take advantage is still in possession. b. The advantage shall be deemed as complete when (a) the ball is correctly brought back into play i.e., play-the-ball on “zero tackle”; (b) points have been scored (by scoring of a try or kicking a field goal), or (c) the team in possession is penalised for foul play. c. For the purpose of this Law, the opposing team playing at the ball during the “free play” will not constitute possession, and the advantage should be allowed to continue. d. If the non-offending team is still in possession at the next play-the-ball then the Referee will call and signal that tackle as “zero tackle”. If the team attempting to take advantage loses possession before the next play-the-ball then the Referee will blow his/her whistle and order a play-the-ball to the (original) non-offending team at the point of the original infringement.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their 18-man squad for the Downer NRL Auckland Nines to be played at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand this weekend. John Sutton will captain the squad this weekend and will be joined by a host of experienced team mates and young players looking to push their case for a spot in the Rabbitohs’ top 17 come round one of the NRL Premiership. The Rabbitohs are in the Waiheke pool and will play round robin matches against the Roosters, Eels and Storm. The Rabbitohs’ team is:
1 - Johnston, Alex 2 - Oldfield, Michael 3 - Goodwin, Bryson 4 - Murphy, Ed 5 - McInnes, Cameron 6 - Walker, Cody 7 - Cook, Damien 8 - Sutton,John (c) 9 - Burgess, Tom 10 - Turner, Kyle 11 - Clark, Jason 12 - Carter, Paul 13 - Grevsmuhl, Chris 14 - Olive, John 15 - Auva'a, Kirisome 16 - Hunt, Hymel 17 - Gosiewski, Jack 18 - Musgrove, Kane Coach – Maguire, Michael
The South Sydney U20's team are also playing a trial against Sydney Roosters at Redfern Oval on Friday Feb 5 at 6:00pm. The squad for the game is :-
Alatipi, Tarquin Besgrove, Joe Brennan, Jake Burke, Mitch Coleman, Liam Cordtz, Beau Cottrell, Tevita Davis, Tim Delevante, Dion Ellison, Josh Guler, Emre Hamlin, Gabe Hands, Cam Hiroti, Haimona Hunt, Jamal Hunt, Phoenix Ili, Kalani Johnstone, Sam Kaloamatangi, Keaon Leddy, Harry Lillis, Rory McCudden, Jacob Murray, Cam O’Connor, Dylan O’Donnell, Chad Preece, Kurtis Robinson, Latrell Rossini, Andres Rudolf, Toby Sands, Maia Saunders, Josh Shiach-Wise, Bailey Soultan, Adam Talakai, Siosifa Titie, Evander Walters, Neihana Widders-Leece, James Winters, Steve Yates, Riley
The North Sydney Bears are also playing a trial against Newtown at Henson Park on Saturday Feb 6 at 4:00pm. Their squad for the game are :-
Flbk - 1 - Schaumkel, Latrell Wing - 2 - Gregorius, Bernard Cntr - 3 - Miski, Abbas Cntr - 4 - Moceidreke, Sitiveni Wing - 5 - Tasi, Tautalatasi 5/8 - 6 - Clarke, Jaden Half - 7 - Levido, Eli Prop - 8 - Dokonivalu, Jokatama Hook - 9 - Deitz, Brad Prop - 10 - Siejka, Jack SRow - 11 - Saumamao, Tulsa SRow - 12 - Siolo, Patrice Lock - 13 - Williams, Clayton Int - 14 - Mauala, Fred Jnr Int - 15 - Lee, Evan Int - 16 - Syme, Eden Int - 17 - Rogers, Piki Int - 18 - Parata, Dean
South Sydney v Balmain
New South Sydney SG Ball under 18s Coach Matt King says his team is ready for the kick off to their season in a few weeks’ time. King has taken the reins of the under 18s outfit who fought their way through to a Grand Final in 2015, and King says the team is getting ready for this year’s attempt at taking home the title. The junior reps team will play a trial match against the Balmain Tigers at Erskineville Oval this Saturday 30 January, with the Harold Matthews game kicking off at 10am and the SG Ball match commencing at 11:30am.
Jan 17 - Trials
South Sydney v Central Coast
South Sydney Rabbitohs U18s and U16s are playing a trial against the Central Coast Centurians at Erskensville Oval on Sunday January 17 U16 10:30am and U18s 12:00 noon.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs SG Ball U18 Summer squad
Alatapi, Tarquinn Boyce, Rangi-Paoa Clissold, Kade Cook, Josh Fifita, Daniel Fitzgerald, Bailey Fuimaono, Henry-Siriah Graham, Campbell Guler, Emre Hampson, Brodie Hawkins, Dean Hiroti, Mawene Hookey, Kobi Hunt, Phoenix Hyslop, Che Johnstone, Sam Kambos, Jake Koloamatangi , Keaon Lose, Joey Manowski , Blake Mitsias, Johnny Mougias, Nicholas Murray, Cameron Nader, Bobby Ngamotu, Keenen O'Connor, Dylan Preece, Kurtis Reilly, Triston Rodwell, Ky Townsend, Reece
The South Sydney Rabbitohs Harold Mathews U16 Summer squad
Aldridge, Logan Armstrong, Dalton Bouris, Ky Bushby, Casey Butcher, Egan Chan-Foon, Maila Chetcuti, Blake Dellow, Raine Dive, Matthew Doods, John Donato, James Golsby, Lachlan Green, Malcolm Handley, Ben Irvine, Flynn Janvrin, Adrian Jeannot, Tukini Kaya, Berat Larkin, Harry Lepolo, Tevita Leuii, Reihana Little, Jordan Manowski, Aidan Matakaiongo, Akositaine Matila, Faima Mirotsos, Sampson Mitsias, Michael Pakofe, Martin Patolo-Vitale, Christian Quick, William Robb, Jaylen Rugless, Kobe Ruka, Mase Saisoaa, Ethan Savage, Kaylib Schlede, Sam Sionetali, Trevor-Joseph Taumoepe, Jenson Tower, Zion