I bleed Maroon
International Rep
- Apr 17, 2013
- 17,530
- 25,227
Heh, maybe that's its origin.
NEWS Proposed 2026 rule changes
- Thread starter Foordy
- Start date
Heh, maybe that's its origin.
Jeffy
NYC Player
- Apr 22, 2025
- 150
- 755
Hate the proposed kick-off change. Removes the excitement from late-game comebacks and encourages more dice rolling with short-kick offs. If you're changing this rule to counteract momentum from how the ruck has been officiated, why not fix the root issue with the ruck itself (i.e., not rewarding dominant tackles enough, pessimistic infringing on tackle 0 because there's no consequences), instead of a century old rule that's not directly related to the ruck?
The kick off change also hits us the hardest. We're the best team at scoring following the momentum of a previous try - Canberra comeback, last try in 2025 GF, even back in the 2023 GF. But it's not like we were gifted those tries simply by receiving the ball. If anything it should be harder having to go 100m against a defence that's had 2-3 minutes to rest. The change nerfs athletic attacking teams and favours grinding ruck-infringing defences.
The kick off change also hits us the hardest. We're the best team at scoring following the momentum of a previous try - Canberra comeback, last try in 2025 GF, even back in the 2023 GF. But it's not like we were gifted those tries simply by receiving the ball. If anything it should be harder having to go 100m against a defence that's had 2-3 minutes to rest. The change nerfs athletic attacking teams and favours grinding ruck-infringing defences.
- Mar 4, 2008
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- Thread starter
- #23
The clubs are reportedly pushing back against the NRL's rule changes for 2026 ... particularly the changes to the kick off.
Dave Donaghy has sent and email to the NRL on behalf of the Club Consultation Committee, which outlines the clubs’ concerns with the kick-off change. See below for the reported sections:
“Clubs are opposed to this proposed rule, as they believe this changes the ‘fabric of the game’, in a way that may not be justified,” the email said.
“Increased fatigue can directly contribute to injury risk and concussion exposure and may be inconsistent with the overarching objective of improving player safety,” the clubs said.
“Clubs are aligned on one critical point – any change introduced at NRL level must be accompanied by adequate lead time and detailed operational guidance to ensure coaches, players, trainers and match-day officials can train and implement changes consistently,” they wrote.
“Where changes are likely to materially impact fatigue, injury risk, match flow, tactics or officiating consistency, clubs strongly recommend trialling in lower-tier competitions and/or controlled trial periods (late season non-finals’ impacting games) prior to full NRL implementation, so the impact can be properly assessed.”
Here are the screenshots of the leaked email to the NRL
Dave Donaghy has sent and email to the NRL on behalf of the Club Consultation Committee, which outlines the clubs’ concerns with the kick-off change. See below for the reported sections:
“Clubs are opposed to this proposed rule, as they believe this changes the ‘fabric of the game’, in a way that may not be justified,” the email said.
“Increased fatigue can directly contribute to injury risk and concussion exposure and may be inconsistent with the overarching objective of improving player safety,” the clubs said.
“Clubs are aligned on one critical point – any change introduced at NRL level must be accompanied by adequate lead time and detailed operational guidance to ensure coaches, players, trainers and match-day officials can train and implement changes consistently,” they wrote.
“Where changes are likely to materially impact fatigue, injury risk, match flow, tactics or officiating consistency, clubs strongly recommend trialling in lower-tier competitions and/or controlled trial periods (late season non-finals’ impacting games) prior to full NRL implementation, so the impact can be properly assessed.”
Here are the screenshots of the leaked email to the NRL
- Mar 4, 2008
- 38,176
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- Thread starter
- #24
p.s. the articles also says that the reason that the NRL want to introduce changes to the kick off is because they are concerned given a "recent trend of momentum being difficult to stop when scoring teams get on a roll."
so effectively the NRL want to implement a major change to the fabric of the NRL to combat the effects of the last time they changed the fabric of the game ... idiots
so effectively the NRL want to implement a major change to the fabric of the NRL to combat the effects of the last time they changed the fabric of the game ... idiots
The clubs have a good point. Usually the team that will be receiving the kick off moves back into place while the kicker lines up the conversion.
But in this rule change they won’t be able to do this until the conceding team decides whether they’re kicking or receiving. Sometimes, for example a one point margin late in a game, the decision of the conceding team will be determined by the result of the conversion. So in that scenario is everyone just going to be standing around on the half way line until the captain of the conceding team makes a decision? That could kill the game’s momentum significantly while we wait for the decision then the receiving team getting into position.
But in this rule change they won’t be able to do this until the conceding team decides whether they’re kicking or receiving. Sometimes, for example a one point margin late in a game, the decision of the conceding team will be determined by the result of the conversion. So in that scenario is everyone just going to be standing around on the half way line until the captain of the conceding team makes a decision? That could kill the game’s momentum significantly while we wait for the decision then the receiving team getting into position.
- Jul 28, 2016
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- 51,917
The change to set restarts where it's only a penalty inside the 20m has a far bigger consequence on momentum.p.s. the articles also says that the reason that the NRL want to introduce changes to the kick off is because they are concerned given a "recent trend of momentum being difficult to stop when scoring teams get on a roll."
so effectively the NRL want to implement a major change to the fabric of the NRL to combat the effects of the last time they changed the fabric of the game ... idiots
That change gets it closer to 2021 which was the worst season of league in history... the only chance to avoid that is by implementing with the kick off rule.
I dont really want either rule (and definitely do not want to see the change to set restarts, which I ****ing hate anyway), but I dont think the change to set restart can be brought in without the kick off rule along with it.
They should definitely be trialing in reserve grade first though.
These things are not minor changes they are huge and the reply email is correct in that coaches and clubs need a ****ing heads up when shit is changing that drastically... not when preseason had already started
I bleed Maroon
International Rep
- Apr 17, 2013
- 17,530
- 25,227
p.s. the articles also says that the reason that the NRL want to introduce changes to the kick off is because they are concerned given a "recent trend of momentum being difficult to stop when scoring teams get on a roll."
so effectively the NRL want to implement a major change to the fabric of the NRL to combat the effects of the last time they changed the fabric of the game ... idiots
Exactly.
Try dumping the six again, ****ing geniuses.
NSW stables
NRL Player
- May 3, 2019
- 2,925
- 8,286
The proposed changing penalties from the 40m to the 20m line is so stupid. It will just go back to 2021 where penrith would take the 6 again on the first tackle, get their line set and just suffocate teams.
I dont get the nrl, i cant recall anyone complaining about this current set up.
I dont get the nrl, i cant recall anyone complaining about this current set up.
Unorthed0x
BRL Player
- May 26, 2025
- 88
- 390
1. Match day squads.
Quite happy for this one, I'd even support a 20 man Game Day Squad.
13 Starters.
5 Man bench with standard 8 Interchanges.
2 HIA backups.
2. Kick-off.
No
No No NONONONONONO
All those great come from behind wins we had don't happen if this rule exists, with losses to the Sharks, Bulldogs and Dolphins we don't even make the 8.
All of my NO F*CKING WAY.
Stupid idea.
3. Act of scoring.
Another good one, should also include attacking kicks that go dead from within the 20m line shouldn't be 7 tackle set's either. More attacking grubbers please.
4. Set restarts
No.
Does no one remember 2021 when Melbourne and Penrith would deliberately give away set restarts to set their defensive line. That why the change was made in the first place to punish them.
Quite happy for this one, I'd even support a 20 man Game Day Squad.
13 Starters.
5 Man bench with standard 8 Interchanges.
2 HIA backups.
2. Kick-off.
No
No No NONONONONONO
All those great come from behind wins we had don't happen if this rule exists, with losses to the Sharks, Bulldogs and Dolphins we don't even make the 8.
All of my NO F*CKING WAY.
Stupid idea.
3. Act of scoring.
Another good one, should also include attacking kicks that go dead from within the 20m line shouldn't be 7 tackle set's either. More attacking grubbers please.
4. Set restarts
No.
Does no one remember 2021 when Melbourne and Penrith would deliberately give away set restarts to set their defensive line. That why the change was made in the first place to punish them.
- Mar 5, 2014
- 3,234
- 1,683
Happy to keep the blue shirts off the field.
In light of HIA protocols and the ferocity of the game, believe a change to bench size is a good move (whether this or alternate solution).
Not really a fan of anything else. Game's not perfect but it's not broke either. Rather not view each 5 year period as incomparable eras thanks.
In light of HIA protocols and the ferocity of the game, believe a change to bench size is a good move (whether this or alternate solution).
Not really a fan of anything else. Game's not perfect but it's not broke either. Rather not view each 5 year period as incomparable eras thanks.
- Mar 4, 2008
- 38,176
- 48,836
- Thread starter
- #31
Just on this one ... They moved away from this exact rule after 2021, now they want to go back to it.
At this point the three stooges running the NRL would be an improvement
- Feb 23, 2014
- 12,073
- 17,619
PVL has no idea. He only cares about TV numbers and cannot see past that. The momentum so many clubs complain about directly comes from the 6 again rule he swears saved the game. But he can't see or say that, so we now need more new rules..
Broncos Maestro
NRL Player
- May 1, 2016
- 1,536
- 1,734
Is it just me or does seeing PVL’s ugly mug just makes you wanna sock him one?
He may not have played any NRL but he certainly has the IQ of the 1980s/90s players.
He may not have played any NRL but he certainly has the IQ of the 1980s/90s players.
- Jul 28, 2016
- 35,491
- 51,917
Rule changes confirmed now from NRL
www.nrl.com
The 6 man bench is confirmed.
For some stupid reason they're not changing errors in goal to 6 tackles instead of 7 tackle sets.
EDIT: Looks like they are incorporating this one I just misread it
They've also done away with the kick off change, but the ****ing morons are going ahead with the change to six agains... bringing them back from 40m to 20m.
Chuck an asterisk next to this season, because the 2021 shitshow is about to start up again.
That was the worst rule proposed out of all of them and yet it's come back in.
I see that Cleary was part of the coaches involved in the initial proposing of rules and I have no doubt this was him... Panthers are undoubtedly one of the biggest beneficiaries of having more 6 agains in the game over penalties because of Cleary's boot.
ARLC confirms 2026 on-field rule changes following extensive consultation
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has today confirmed a package of on-field rule changes for the 2026 season, following an extensive consultation process with clubs, players, coaches and key stakeholders.
www.nrl.com
The 6 man bench is confirmed.
For some stupid reason they're not changing errors in goal to 6 tackles instead of 7 tackle sets.
EDIT: Looks like they are incorporating this one I just misread it
They've also done away with the kick off change, but the ****ing morons are going ahead with the change to six agains... bringing them back from 40m to 20m.
Chuck an asterisk next to this season, because the 2021 shitshow is about to start up again.
That was the worst rule proposed out of all of them and yet it's come back in.
I see that Cleary was part of the coaches involved in the initial proposing of rules and I have no doubt this was him... Panthers are undoubtedly one of the biggest beneficiaries of having more 6 agains in the game over penalties because of Cleary's boot.
