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NRL opt against trialling rules in Rd 25

3 minute read

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has confirmed no new rules will be trialled during the last round of the season, wanting consistency for teams after 18 months of changes.

Sea Eagles coach TRENT BARRETT.
Sea Eagles coach TRENT BARRETT. Picture: Jason O'Brien/Getty Images

The NRL won't trial any new rules in the final round of the season, with CEO Andrew Abdo ruling out any experiments including seven-tackle sets after balls are kicked into touch.

The league has traditionally used dead-rubbers late in the season to trial new rules, including set restarts for offsides last year and the current bunker set up.

Commissioner Wayne Pearce floated an idea on Friday that would see teams give away seven-tackles if they kicked the ball into touch, in a bid to further eliminate stoppages.

Pearce's idea was for the rule to be experimented in the final round of the regular season between Wests Tigers and Canterbury, with neither side able to make finals.

The suggestion was met with a strong rebuke from coaches, including from Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett and St George Illawarra counterpart Anthony Griffin.

However it's understood that idea had not been discussed at a commission or innovation committee level, and was never considered for round 25.

Instead Abdo said that the league was not interested in trialling any new rules next week and did not see significant change ahead after 18 months of rapid change in the sport.

"I think we are in the phase of wanting to consolidate," Abdo told AAP.

"There's no doubt innovations made by the commission have enhanced our product. Rugby league is more free flowing than it has ever been.

"The biggest issue in our game was once the wrestle and the impact wrestling tactics had on our matches.

"The commission took decisive action and have changed the game for the better.

"Teams are adjusting. We don't want to make constant changes and impact the teams' ability to adjust. We need to find the right balance.

"But any rule reviews and changes will be discussed in the off-season."

In the last 18 months alone the NRL have introduced set restarts for ruck infringements and then offsides, 20-40s, captain's challenges and two-point field goals among other rules.

But any on-field changes for the 2022 season would likely only be adjustments, with a review of the judiciary process also expected.

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