The state of rugby league since restart

[Wizardman]

Maybe this is the effects of covid, but rugby league since it restarted has been more entertaining than it has been for an extremely long time. The wrestle dominating the game is finally over and little playmakers are more effective than they have been in years. Great product!

 

[flippikat]

Maybe this is the effects of covid, but rugby league since it restarted has been more entertaining than it has been for an extremely long time. The wrestle dominating the game is finally over and little playmakers are more effective than they have been in years. Great product!

Absolutely. The game hasn't been this open in a long long time.. there's been a few blowouts, but seeing games where teams feel free to chance their arm in attack is fantastic.

 

[Wizardman]

Absolutely. The game hasn't been this open in a long long time.. there's been a few blowouts, but seeing games where teams feel free to chance their arm in attack is fantastic.

Fatigue is actually coming into rugby league which is what the game has been crying out for.For the past 20 years, halves with decent talent have been absolutely bashed out of this game. Fatigue is the great equalizer which allows the little guys to do their thing. I am loving rugby league even though my tigers are struggling.

 

[flippikat]

Fatigue is actually coming into rugby league which is what the game has been crying out for.For the past 20 years, halves with decent talent have been absolutely bashed out of this game. Fatigue is the great equalizer which allows the little guys to do their thing. I am loving rugby league even though my tigers are struggling.

It's very interesting to see teams like the Storm struggle to get to grips with the new rules.. no, very SATISFYING to see them struggle. Their dour, percentage footy is just tedious, and deserves a shake-up.

At the other end, just look at the performances by the Eels and Warriors tonight - two teams that are relishing the opportunity tonight to really open up the game in the 4th quarter when fatigue bites at their opponents.

 

[Wizardman]

It's very interesting to see teams like the Storm struggle to get to grips with the new rules.. no, very SATISFYING to see them struggle. Their dour, percentage footy is just tedious, and deserves a shake-up.

At the other end, just look at the performances by the Eels and Warriors tonight - two teams that are relishing the opportunity tonight to really open up the game in the 4th quarter when fatigue bites at their opponents.

There was a game played a year or two ago with Cronulla playing Melbourne at Shark Park. It was the game where Cam Smith got sinbinned. I think the game finished 2-0 or 8-0 but I didn't give a stuff in the end. EVERYTHING wrong with the the way rugby league was played and organized was displayed in that game. Spoiling, wrestling, stop starts....it was a f**king eyesore to watch. Thank f**k for VLandys and these rule changes. It has sparked my interest back in the game....regardless on how my Tigers perform every week.

 

[Diesel]

It’ll be interesting to see how the Storm adapt. The game now has that 90’s feel to it.

 

[Chief_Chujo]

Its so good not seeing bullshit wrestle being rewarded with set defensive lines. Feels like were out of the dark age of league lads

 

[Last Week]

I find it interesting that a single rule change can have a dramatic two fold effect on the game. The fatigue factor in games has certainly come into play and the lack of stoppages has created a less Union style brand of football.

In saying that, it's still early days for the rule. And the coaches are ALWAYS looking for ways to exploit the rule. It will happen eventually. Maybe not this season, but it will happen.

 

[ash the bash]

Agree, way more entertaining than last season. More ragged defence lines and as someone alluded to similar to 90's.

 

[Last Week]

It does take me back to the early 2000's of the dummy half running dominance that we saw then. And coaches and experts turned on it pretty quickly.

I personally liked it back then. It opened up the ruck for players like Craig Wing, Luke Priddis, PJ Marsh and Shaun Berrigan. But it didn't prevent the game manager/play maker hooker from establishing themselves. Danny Buderus and Cameron Smith still dominated.

 

[Steel Saints]

With the six again rule, there's also less whinging from commentators.

 

[Fangs]

It has been much better.

Less backchat from players, less time for moron commentary teams to call out anything. Oh yeah and the players get fatigued.

 

[Eelementary]

I'm loving the new rules, and not just because we are playing well.

I thought tonight's game against Penrith was played with an Origin/Finals-like intensity for 80 minutes, and there was a very entertaining flow to the game.

It was the best decision the NRL has made in years.

 

[some11]

Personally I hate the kick for touch penalty, it really does ruin the flow of a game.

The fact that teams will have to be fitter is great - it will keep the slugs out of the game and they can go plod in some 3rd grade rugby if it still exists.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

The best sporting product gets even better.

There's light years between Rugby League and whatever the next best sport is.

 

[lockyno1]

This should have happened 5 years ago.

100% agree we might suck but the games are entertaining.

 

[Billythekid]

Personally I hate the kick for touch penalty, it really does ruin the flow of a game.

The fact that teams will have to be fitter is great - it will keep the slugs out of the game and they can go plod in some 3rd grade rugby if it still exists.

Agreed, kick for touch penalties were a blight on the game. Not just slowing the game down but also had such a huge impact on who won and lost.

 

[Sphagnum]

It seems like it’s just been Matt Nable putting pickles in his soft serve on a continuous loop

 

[Sphagnum]

With the six again rule, there's also less whinging from commentators.

And players

 

[The Mad Hatter]

It seems like it’s just been Matt Nable putting pickles in his soft serve on a continuous loop

Flmao