Change to the kickoff rule 2026

[Dogs Of War]

Well thats good news about the kick off rule, I dont understand why it was even thought about it.

Doesn't mean it won't happen, just not this season. I suspect it will be trialed elsewhere, maybe a lower level comp like Ron Massey or something.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Surprised Pvl caved he seemed determined ti force it through

A reminder the clubs and state bodies ultimately control the arlc and it’s not independent

Realistically, that was always the case. It's more in the "day to day stuff" where they are independent. I mean go back to the 1970s and look at the controversies over things like referee appointments favouring one team (notably those involving a Mr G. Hartley).

 

[Wb1234]

Doesn't mean it won't happen, just not this season. I suspect it will be trialed elsewhere, maybe a lower level comp like Ron Massey or something.

“The ARLC has also endorsed a trial of a proposed rule regarding the non-scoring team having the option of kicking-off or receiving from the restart. The change will be trialled in games with no bearing on the finals at the back end of the 2026 season before further consideration.”

 

[Wb1234]

No surprise most of the good coaches wanted that change as it was a chance to show their skill and of course the other coaches would be against it for that reason that they already struggle against the good sides

 

[Captain Apollo]

No surprise most of the good coaches wanted that change as it was a chance to show their skill and of course the other coaches would be against it for that reason that they already struggle against the good sides

Yet Souths were reportedly one of the clubs against it. It was such a good idea Bennett couldn't persuade the "powers that be" of his own club to support it.

Many clubs were against it due to:

1. It being proposed to be introduced so lose to the start of the season; and/or
2. Not enough data was available showing how it would impact games under current rules.

Hence the trial of it might swing clubs behind it if its put up for introduction in 2027, and voted on in December or early January rather than the week that trial matches get underway like happened on this occasion.

 

[Fangs]

No surprise most of the good coaches wanted that change as it was a chance to show their skill and of course the other coaches would be against it for that reason that they already struggle against the good sides

I'd have to hear coaches actual opinions from their own mouths.

So far we've had Wayne Bennett tell us there was unanimous agreement among the 6 coaches involved. And here we are with no change and a potential trial of the rule later this year. It sounded like gaslighting from Wayne tbh. He really wanted it to happen but obviously the support wasn't there.

 

[Wb1234]

Yet Souths were reportedly one of the clubs against it. It was such a good idea Bennett couldn't persuade the "powers that be" of his own club to support it.

Many clubs were against it due to:

1. It being proposed to be introduced so lose to the start of the season; and/or
2. Not enough data was available showing how it would impact games under current rules.

Hence the trial of it might swing clubs behind it if its put up for introduction in 2027, and voted on sat in December or early January rather than the week that trial matches get underway like happened on this occasion.

Who Solly ? Guys one of the biggest flops in the nrl

I’m with uncle Wayne

He’s the one that originally suggested six again be brought back in

The arl should be able to introduce rule changes as it sees fit and the clubs and players should stick their noses out of it

The decision to kick or receive introduced uncertainty / unpredictability

Would love to see how it impacts game and the upcoming trials could’ve been a great way to do it

But yeh one year delay because some clubs are cry babies

 

[Captain Apollo]

Who Solly ? Guys one of the biggest flops in the nrl

I’m with uncle Wayne

He’s the one that originally suggested six again be brought back in

The arl should be able to introduce rule changes as it sees fit and the clubs and players should stick their noses out of it

The decision to kick or receive introduced uncertainty / unpredictability

Would love to see how it impacts game and the upcoming trials could’ve been a great way to do it

But yeh one year delay because some clubs are cry babies

Solly is only the CEO. I'd suspect that on something like that, the club's board would consider what the club's official position would be.

Also if you think the team who had points scored against them would elect to defend, to quote Darryl Kerrigan "Tell 'em he's dreamin' ".

 

[SirPies&Beers]

the 6 again outside 20m rule (changed from 40m). wasnt that how the rule originally was when 6 again was brought in?

from memory the panthers and storm 2020-2022 sides built their hyper fast line speed in defence inside the opposition half because they would exploit the rule by giving away the first tackle 6 again to opposition at the 20m then banking on their line speed to mitigate opposition meters for the rest of the restarted set.

or am i tripping here?

 

[skeepe]

the 6 again outside 20m rule (changed from 40m). wasnt that how the rule originally was when 6 again was brought in?

from memory the panthers and storm 2020-2022 sides built their hyper fast line speed in defence inside the opposition half because they would exploit the rule by giving away the first tackle 6 again to opposition at the 20m then banking on their line speed to mitigate opposition meters for the rest of the restarted set.

or am i tripping here?

No, you’re correct.

We wanted less six agains, not more. There’s very little consistency in how they’re awarded and have a massive effect on momentum.

The six again rule is a blight on the game.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

No, you’re correct.

We wanted less six agains, not more. There’s very little consistency in how they’re awarded and have a massive effect on momentum.

The six again rule is a blight on the game.

its somewhat ironic and coincidental that the rule has been reintroduced as it was after both the panthers and storms sides of that period have been shredded and aged.

i wonder how a young raiders and broncos sides who never utilised and exploited the rule back then because they didn't have the squad cattle will work with it now. they might blitz it. panthers 2021/22 defence was unreal because of how fit and fast off the line they were. they could trust the line speed to mitigate an extra tackle given away.
raiders broncos maybe dogs could really take the comp

 

[Fangs]

No, you’re correct.

We wanted less six agains, not more. There’s very little consistency in how they’re awarded and have a massive effect on momentum.

The six again rule is a blight on the game.

I'm all for discussion around tweaking the rule.

But the argument is over. Rugby League in the 2020s>>>>>>>>>>2010s. If you preferred the latter then I suggest you tune into some Rugby which no one is interested in watching.

No doubt the rule has influenced the reuslts of some great matches. Such as the unbelievable Broncos comeback at Bruce in last years finals series. In fact I think that was the greatest comeback I've ever watched. I wish I could go back and watch it live again for the first time.

 

[Wb1234]

I'm all for discussion around tweeking the rule.

But the argument is over. Rugby League in the 2020s>>>>>>>>>>2010s. If you preferred the latter then I suggest you tune into some Rugby which no one is interested in watching.

No doubt the rule has influenced the reuslts of some great matches. Such as the unbelievable Broncos comeback at Bruce in last years finals series. In fact I think that was the greatest comeback I've ever watched. I wish I could go back and watch it live again for the first time.

Yeh but rugby league 2000 to 2009 > rl 2020 on

But something had to be done after the storm ruined rugby league and every other club become a Temu version of them

 

[Fangs]

Yeh but rugby league 2000 to 2009 > rl 2020 on

But something had to be done after the storm ruined rugby league and every other club become a Temu version of them

Maybe the 90s and up until 2005 sure. And I don't think you'll see that ever return. Its a more professional sport and all teams are better defensively even under fatigue.

06-09 the Storm had morphed. Probably some great football in those years too but its pretty tainted in my view.

 

[Wb1234]

Maybe the 90s and up until 2005 sure. And I don't think you'll see that ever return. Its a more professional sport and all teams are better defensively even under fatigue.

06-09 the Storm had morphed. Probably some great football in those years too but its pretty tainted in my view.

Yeh defences in general are better that’s a good point I never thought about

Attack isn’t. Even a simple thing like a two on one for a line break with just a fullback to beat and they struggle

If we had more teams attacking like the dolphins (who can’t defend lol) the game would be so much better

Raiders and broncos arent bad in that regard either

 

[Fangs]

Yeh defences in general are better that’s a good point I never thought about

Attack isn’t. Even a simple thing like a two on one for a line break with just a fullback to beat and they struggle

If we had more teams attacking like the dolphins (who can’t defend lol) the game would be so much better

Raiders and broncos arent bad in that regard either

Lots of one on one misses back in the day. You just don't see it as often anymore. Unless you are a shirt grabber like Tyrell Sloan.

Dolphins are the best team to watch in the comp. Really hope they continue their brand of football and make the finals this year.

 

[T-Boon]

No surprise most of the good coaches wanted that change as it was a chance to show their skill and of course the other coaches would be against it for that reason that they already struggle against the good sides

Agreed. The lesser coaches are useless to the game and are actually a hand break because they care about their job security a lot more than the best interests of the game plus they do have a say in the game. I would give NRL coaches zero say in anything rule related. All the rule changes we need now are because of all the f**kery they have brought in over the last 30 years.

 

[Wb1234]

Lots of one on one misses back in the day. You just don't see it as often anymore. Unless you are a shirt grabber like Tyrell Sloan.

Dolphins are the best team to watch in the comp. Really hope they continue their brand of football and make the finals this year.

Been watching loads of old games on Fox and yeh even grand finals some of the standard was poor

But some of the mid 2000s the footy was so good. Seeing Joey making so many mistakes was surprising

They’ve played 90 91 and 2003 a few times good to watch those back.

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Captain Apollo]

Really? 4 x forwards, 1 x half and a utility three quarter will be the makeup of just about all benches. Also that's not strategic, it's tactical (not blaming that on Fitzy as I can't tell based on the tweet what word he used).