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'Absolute joke': Fan fury as NRL announces big rule changes

Andrew Reid
·4-min read
The 2021 NRL premiership will look a bit different to the 2020 edition that the Melbourne Storm won. Pic: Getty
The 2021 NRL premiership will look a bit different to the 2020 edition that the Melbourne Storm won. Pic: Getty

A raft of rule changes announced by the NRL for the 2021 season has left fans fuming.

Among the most significant of the changes is the introduction of a two-point field goal for successful attempts beyond 40 metres.

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The Australian Rugby League Commission endorsed that among a number of other changes on Friday.

The radical rule will be introduced in an effort to increase the chance of a result changing in the final stages of a game.

It comes alongside the retention of the controversial six-again rule for 10m and ruck infringements, tweaks to the scrum, captain's challenge, play-the-ball and trainer protocols designed to speed up the game.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the innovative rule changes would lead to faster games and more unpredictability.

"These innovations will lead to less stoppages, more unpredictability and increased excitement for our fans,'' he said.

"The message from the fans and our broadcasters has been clear; the game became too predictable and the balance between attack and defence had gone too far in favour of defence.

"Our changes last year were successful in addressing some of those challenges and the changes announced today will take the element of unpredictability and entertainment a step further."

V'landys hopes the field goal tweak encourages teams to attack until the final siren in each half and came after a survey of NRL account holder and club members.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys is pictured here at a press conference.
Peter V'landys says the NRL is giving fans more of what they want. Pic: Getty

"You've got to give the customer what they want," he said.

"It is clear the new innovations last season were a success ... the six again rule has addressed the biggest issue that was in the game and that was the wrestle.

"The changes have sped up the ruck and made the game more free flowing which is exactly what the Commission wanted to see."

While some fans seemed encouraged by the rule changes, there has been an overwhelming sense of anger and frustration on social media.

RULE CHANGES FOR 2021 SEASON

* 2 points for field goals outside the 40m line.

* Six again for 10 metre infringements and professional fouls in ruck

* Penalty if players break from scrum before referee calls 'break' when satisfied the ball is out of the scrum.

* Play the ball restart when the ball is kicked or carried into touch.

* Handover for incorrect play the ball

* Review retained, but on-field decision stands, where a captain's challenge is inconclusive.

* Bunker reviews done in background after on-field try is awarded, with conversion attempt not permitted until bunker is satisfied a try has been scored.

* Injured players must be interchanged or taken off for two minutes before they can return if trainer asks a match official to stop a game for injury.

with AAP

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