Re: Rule changes : Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:13 pm  

matt_wire wrote:

:idea: For the benefit of those who don't watch the academy, could you highlight some examples as to why? Just wondering what to expect come 2024. From my skim reading, it seems we should expect a spate of cards for tackles that would have been legal until next season. Lots of rejigging from teams regarding technique and undoubtedly lots of appeals for ensuing bans.

The main problem was the lack of any entertainment or game continuity caused by the refs penalising defending teams constantly.

None of the teams did it in the games that I saw, but if the Super League games are refereed in the same manner, then instead of attempting to set-up and score tries, games will be won by the clubs who takes every chance to kick penalty goals, there will be so many opportunities.

It was just like watch tag rugby, except that in tag rugby, the referees are not intervening continually, awarding penalties

The Wigan v Wire game (Which is usually one of the top games of the season), was reduced to a farce, with both sets of fans totally bemused by the interpretation of the rule.

Re: Rule changes : Sun Dec 10, 2023 5:21 pm  

Boss Hog wrote:

The main problem was the lack of any entertainment or game continuity caused by the refs penalising defending teams constantly.

None of the teams did it in the games that I saw, but if the Super League games are refereed in the same manner, then instead of attempting to set-up and score tries, games will be won by the clubs who takes every chance to kick penalty goals, there will be so many opportunities.

It was just like watch tag rugby, except that in tag rugby, the referees are not intervening continually, awarding penalties

The Wigan v Wire game (Which is usually one of the top games of the season), was reduced to a farce, with both sets of fans totally bemused by the interpretation of the rule.

Thanks for this! It does sound woeful from an entertainment viewpoint.

Re: Rule changes : Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:37 am  

While it's understandable why the tackling height change has been introduced, it is going to make life very difficult for officials. In the link posted by matt_wire, there is a video showing examples of what will now be deemed illegal tackles. To be honest, they all look pretty borderline to me regarding initial contact being above or below the armpit, and if I was refereeing, I don't know if I would call them as penalties or not. Referees will have to make quick decisions about tackle height, and they won't always get them right. It's going to cause a lot of discontent and as previously stated, there could be some ugly games, especially in the traditional opening weeks of over-zealous enforcement.

Re: Rule changes : Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:57 am  

The Junior game has also been rocked by the news that starting at under 6's next season and eventually up to under 9's games will be touch rugby only and no tackling at all, kids will then at age 10 have to tackle having never done so before.

Re: Rule changes : Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:47 pm  

Gaz3376 wrote:

The Junior game has also been rocked by the news that starting at under 6's next season and eventually up to under 9's games will be touch rugby only and no tackling at all, kids will then at age 10 have to tackle having never done so before.

Yes not sure about that one, I've watched a fair bit of Junior RL over the years, it wasn't until the later years U12's+ that I started to notice more head clashes / concussions when the kids started getting bigger and the impacts got greater.

In my view it would be far better having the kids tackle sooner so they are used to the technique before they start getting bigger. Though I think this brings Junior RL more in line with Junior RU - they start tackling later than RL at present I think.

Re: Rule changes : Mon Dec 11, 2023 2:12 pm  

Gaz3376 wrote:

The Junior game has also been rocked by the news that starting at under 6's next season and eventually up to under 9's games will be touch rugby only and no tackling at all, kids will then at age 10 have to tackle having never done so before.

A full-contact sport with no contact. It's a ludicrous idea.

Meanwhile boxers, martial arts, Aussie rules, Gaelic football etc knock seven bells of you know what out of each other.

Re: Rule changes : Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:34 pm  

I have attended a lot of junior RL games over many years and totally agree that young kids need to tackle as soon as possible, a lot in the junior game will walk away and that has come from the players themselves. I play touch in my 60s so let’s wait till then please.