Change to the kickoff rule 2026

[Foreign Legion]

NRL considers radical rule change for kick-offs for season 2026

The NRL has shied away from making radical changes to its rules in recent years, but that could be about to change.

www.smh.com.au

 

[PARRA_FAN]

NRL considers radical rule change for kick-offs for season 2026

The NRL has shied away from making radical changes to its rules in recent years, but that could be about to change.

www.smh.com.au

Stop with the friggin rule changes. One year its "let's change the rules to make it faster" then it's "change it so we stop points".

Why change the rules if teams are so poor at defending?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

f**king hell that kick-off rule is an abomination. Super League tried it in 97 and all it does is allow the team who just scored to belt the opposition from the kick-off so they either make a mistake or are stuck in their own half for most of the game. Blow outs just become worse.

 

[Chins]

f**king hell that kick-off rule is an abomination. Super League tried it in 97 and all it does is allow the team who just scored to belt the opposition from the kick-off so they either make a mistake or are stuck in their own half for most of the game. Blow outs just become worse.

It would strengthen my side and I'm still against it.

 

[Generalzod]

NRL considers radical rule change for kick-offs for season 2026

The NRL has shied away from making radical changes to its rules in recent years, but that could be about to change.

www.smh.com.au

In an attempt to keep matches between two teams competitive for the duration of the 80 minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the NRL is looking at changing the kick-off rule and whether it should be that the team that scores will kick off to restart play rather than the side that conceded a try or goal

Super league…..

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I swear the Nrl never thinks about the consequences of every stupid rule change they come up with. Think about it. If the scoring team kicks off they might pin the receiving team into their own half for the next 10 minutes. Wave after wave of good field position.

Also what happens if your down by 10 with 3 minutes to go. You score one try and then instead of having the chance to immediately score another you have to kick off to the leading team who will just wind the clock down for the final 60 seconds.

Absolute stupidity

 

[colly]

I swear the Nrl never thinks about the consequences of every stupid rule change they come up with. Think about it. If the scoring team kicks off they might pin the receiving team into their own half for the next 10 minutes. Wave after wave of good field position.

Also what happens if your down by 10 with 3 minutes to go. You score one try and then instead of having the chance to immediately score another you have to kick off to the leading team who will just wind the clock down for the final 60 seconds.

Absolute stupidity

My idea is only after the 2nd half kick off, when any team scores the team behind in points gets to receive the ball. Only in the second half (after 2nd half kickoff) then the team in 'front' kick off, or restarts the game to the team behind, or less points team, regardless of who scored. What to do if a score, that levels the score. it then reverts to the 1ST half rules on what team kick off.

 

[yobbo84]

That's some topball level shit there

@Yosemite Sam has said all that needs to be said

 

[no name]

My idea is only after the 2nd half kick off, when any team scores the team behind in points gets to receive the ball. Only in the second half (after 2nd half kickoff) then the team in 'front' kick off, or restarts the game to the team behind, or less points team, regardless of who scored. What to do if a score, that levels the score. it then reverts to the 1ST half rules on what team kick off.

I agree, but only on Fridays and Sundays at grounds that start with a vowel.

 

[some11]

Dumb asf

The fact they still have 7 tackles for a kick going dead infuriates me.

 

[Frailty]

Like most rule changes made in the last 10 years… Why?

Rugby League evolved its rules when there was a significant reason to do so. One team exploiting the unlimited tackles? Introduce the limited tackles. One team exploiting bombing into the in goal to force drop outs? Introduce the 20m optional restart for catching in the in goal.

As soon as the league started changing multiple rules on an annual basis with no real justification, the standard of the game starts to fall despite athletes being better than ever.

 

[Saxon]

I swear the Nrl never thinks about the consequences of every stupid rule change they come up with. Think about it. If the scoring team kicks off they might pin the receiving team into their own half for the next 10 minutes. Wave after wave of good field position.

Also what happens if your down by 10 with 3 minutes to go. You score one try and then instead of having the chance to immediately score another you have to kick off to the leading team who will just wind the clock down for the final 60 seconds.

Absolute stupidity

About 90 words too many. Otherwise I absolutely agree.

 

[Fangs]

Don't think I like it.

Clubs have their say in this too though:

The governing body is in the process of sending out surveys to clubs and fans as part of an end-of-season review. That feedback, coupled with the NRL’s own analysis, will provide a framework for discussions that examine ways to make the game even more entertaining next year.

---

Which LU fans got a survey? I hope one has made its way to T-boon's inbox.

 

[T-Boon]

f**king hell that kick-off rule is an abomination. Super League tried it in 97 and all it does is allow the team who just scored to belt the opposition from the kick-off so they either make a mistake or are stuck in their own half for most of the game. Blow outs just become worse.

That sounds pretty good. But also bullshit. That wouldnt happen.

 

[T-Boon]

I swear the Nrl never thinks about the consequences of every stupid rule change they come up with. Think about it. If the scoring team kicks off they might pin the receiving team into their own half for the next 10 minutes. Wave after wave of good field position.

To fix that just have the kickoff from the 40 or 35 or something.
Such drama queens on this forum.

 

[Dr T]

To fix that just have the kickoff from the 40 or 35 or something.
Such drama queens on this forum.

Agree. We complain about rule changes and then offer no real solutions.

The reason why this isn't so much a rule change as a correction, in my mind, is due to fairness. It offers the team that has just conceded points a 'right of reply'. Hard to do that unless you have the bloody ball! This is what NFL does even in overtime.

If the consequence of this 'right of reply' is that teams get pinned in their own half, then the solution shouldn't be scrap the rule altogether, but tweak it so they still get the ball back (the main point of the rule) while also not disadvantaging them in terms of field position (a secondary point). Hence, just make kick-offs after tries start from the 40m line to give teams a chance to get to halfway in a couple of tackles. It will make it more of a spectacle anyway. Easy solution. While also keeping the main point of it. Ball in hand. Opportunity to score points. Fewer blowouts. Maybe. Where's the data on that anyway?

My two cents.

 

[mave]

If they are worried about blow-outs, just get the refs to swing momentum with a handful of 6 against and penalties to the team getting pumped......exactly like they already do now, so no change required.

 

[Canard]

For junior footy, this is a great rule change.

I can't see the harm in it at a senior level either, to be honest.

 

[Canard]

Like most rule changes made in the last 10 years… Why?

Rugby League evolved its rules when there was a significant reason to do so. One team exploiting the unlimited tackles? Introduce the limited tackles. One team exploiting bombing into the in goal to force drop outs? Introduce the 20m optional restart for catching in the in goal.

As soon as the league started changing multiple rules on an annual basis with no real justification, the standard of the game starts to fall despite athletes being better than ever.

Isn't the game facing its highest ever ratings, attendance and financial stability ever? Since several MAJOR rule changes in the last few seasons?

 

[Captain Apollo]

Changing the kickl-off rule, as being proposed, will not solve the issue of blow outs. More often than not blow outs occur due to talent differentials between squads. Even with all the "talent equalisation" factors in the NFL (e.g. its kick-off rule, salary cap, roster limits, drafts etc.) it still has blow outs occur.