Rugby league fans have loved the constant changes to the laws of the game this season and so good news is coming with more potential new NRL rule changes on the way.
This time the suggestion is that the team who just scored should kick off instead of team who have just conceded.
All of this is yet another knee-jerk reaction after a round of big blowouts on the weekend. Instead of simply dismissing the losses as being against teams who were just pissweak on the day, it is time to change things again quickly.
But snap decisions on new NRL rule changes have been so popular this season so why not.
But why stop at the kick-off?
As ever the Wooden Spooners have the exclusive on the plethora of more new NRL rule changes that the NRL are considering from our inside source.
New NRL Rule Changes
3 TRIES AND YOU’RE OFF
Much like in junior cricket, where players are forced to retire after facing 30 legal balls or scoring 30 runs, the NRL is apparently going to introduce a rule where any players who has scored three tries has to leave the field (but can be replaced with a free interchange).
Or even better, they can stay on the field but are unable to score any more tries, which could lead to some hilarious situations on-field.
Players scoring a fourth try and beyond will be sin binned.
50 METRE SET RESTART
Time to reward those teams doing the hard yards.
This new NRL rule change gives the attacking team an automatic “six again” after gaining 50+ metres in a set.
This doesn’t exactly solve the problem of bad teams getting smashed, but the NRL feels it would be a spectacular new addition to the on-field repertoire of rules.
BASKETBALL-STYLE PERSONAL FOUL COUNT
With the NRL always looking to cash in on the popularity of other US-based sports, there has been some serious consideration given to a basketball-style personal foul/penalty count.
So how the personal foul counter would work is a player is subbed off immediately after five personal penalties. No actually, make it three.
Much like a soccer player on a yellow card from the second minute, it would add extra spice for that player for the fans throughout as they wait for the third penalty. Perhaps there could be a velcro patch on the back of the jersey for players who are on two penalties so they are easily identifiable on TV and for the crowd?
Teams would have to use an interchange to cover the player, and if all used up would sadly have to make do without.
Of course you can take it further with team fouls too.
POSSESSION POWER PLAY/SUPER SET
The NRL has proposed a couple of ideas designed to improve scoring and make footy more exciting: the “Possession Power Play” and the “Super Set”.
In the “Possession Power Play”, teams nominate a 10-minute period with unlimited possession, even if they knock on. Each team gets one power play a game.
The “Super Set” is based on American Football’s Two Point Conversion: after a try, teams can choose to have three tackles, starting from 10 metres out, to score another try.
If they score, it’s worth an extra three points: so a try and a “Super Set” conversion is seven points.
To address the recent blowouts, perhaps the “Possession Power Play” can only be invoked for a side who is losing by 20 points or more?
FIVE-POINT TRIES
Why should fans wait until the fifth tackle for action. Can’t they get it sooner?
With today’s attention spans shrinking like the polar ice caps, the NRL needs to act quicker than a federal government to keep them interested.
If a try is scored in the first three tackles of a set, then it’s worth five points.
This should address teams bludging for those extra tackle.
THE EXPLODING BALL
After a recent fans poll the NRL have been told that fans are bored waiting three minutes for players to take shots at conversion. So a change is on the way.
A new mandate will be given to goalkickers to speed up their attempts.
Sixty seconds will be given from the time the try has been award, which will allow for a replay or two, a quick 15 second ad and the attempt at goal.
The NRL will allegedly has a special ball for conversions only. These balls will explode exactly 60 seconds after the ref has awarded the try unless deactivated by crossing the try line.
This would lead to exploding golf ball type hilarity on the field for kickers taking too long, or potential Benny Hill-style fast forward running from goal kickers desperately trying to kick the ball in time.
Given the thrashings of late and the concern that the NRL are showing towards this, a solution has been found.
Once a team goes 20 points in front they are to kick off to the other team who keep the ball until they have scored or halt time/full time is called. This is a little less subtle than the above Powerplay.
The only trouble is giving teams like the Broncos and the Bulldogs unlimited ball may not lead to points given some of their attacking shows this season.
But at least the score would be lower.
SEVEN-A-SIDE
Remember how good the World Sevens were? Well, the NRL’s new rule aims to bring the excitement of Sevens footy back.
If a team leads by a minimum of 18 points with 15 minutes left, then the game reduces to seven-a-side until full time, which could excite neutral fans bored by a lopsided contest, and give some players a much-needed breather (and crucial extra recovery time) before another hard week of training leading up to their next game.
