Exciting New Rule For Auckland 9s

[Super Freak]

A new rule will be introduced for the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines, giving teams a “free play” advantage when the opposing team makes a mistake.

The rule is aimed at allowing the team which gains possession from a mistake to attempt a high risk play without fear of losing advantage.

Under the rule, the referee will call “zero tackle” when a team gains possession from a knock on, forward pass or accidental offside.

That will signal a “free play” which will enable the team which gains possession to have an extended advantage. This means they will retain the ball even if they make a mistake.

The advantage will only be complete if the team scores, if a player commits foul play or a player with the ball is tackled. If the ball is dropped or lost before the next play the ball, the referee will order a play the ball at the point of the original infringement.

NRL general manager of football Nathan McGuirk said the rule changed was designed to encourage exciting and high risk play at the Nines.

“The Nines is already one of the most entertaining events on the Rugby League calendar,” Mr McGuirk said.

“But this rule change will encourage teams gaining possession from a mistake to take a risk because they know they will still retain the ball even if they make a mistake.”

In the only major rule change for the Waitangi Weekend spectacular, the NRL has confirmed a “Free Play - Advantage” rule will be in effect during the 2016 tournament.

“It gives a team a fantastic opportunity to come up with creative plays; it’s a whole new opportunity from which they can attack with little risk of losing the advantage after an error.” Mr McGuirk said.

The rule also means teams can kick the ball on a turnover play and will get it back if the team that committed the error recovers it, and they will also get possession back following a tap down or strip.

“We are hoping to see teams take advantage of this rule with some amazing, opportunistic plays, which we think will result in more points and more great tries scored for the fans,” Mr McGuirk said.

Change to NRL Auckland Nines Laws “FREE PLAY” - ADVANTAGE

1. The Referee should look to play advantage wherever possible.

a. Following a knock on, forward pass, or accidental offside and where the non-offending team gains possession, the Referee will immediately call and signal “zero tackle” to indicate a “free play” and allow play to continue until the ball is correctly brought into play (or points are scored) at the next play-the-ball, providing the team attempting to take advantage is still in possession.

b. The advantage shall be deemed as complete when (a) the ball is correctly brought back into play i.e., play-the-ball on “zero tackle”;
(b) points have been scored (by scoring of a try or kicking a field goal), or (c) the team in possession is penalised for foul play.

c. For the purpose of this Law, the opposing team playing at the ball during the “free play” will not constitute possession, and the advantage should be allowed to continue.

d. If the non-offending team is still in possession at the next play-the-ball then the Referee will call and signal that tackle as “zero tackle”. If the team attempting to take advantage loses possession before the next play-the-ball then the Referee will blow his/her whistle and order a play-the-ball to the (original) non-offending team at the point of the original infringement.

http://www.broncos.com.au/news/2015/12/10/exciting_new_rule_fo.html

 

[Morkel]

I like it. As an exhibition rule.

 

[GCBRONCO]

No multi ball?

 

[Art Vandelay]

So more like the Union advantage rule then? I'd hardly call that exciting. You know what I would call exciting? Rugby League. Maybe the guys in charge should stop dicking around with phantom problems and let people play it once in a while. And yes, I know this is only for the 9s but the 9s were also working properly before they decided to incentivise offloads to nobody.

 

[Dash]

Does this mean you can knock on/forward pass in that play as long as you retain possession? I can only see 'foul play' mentioned as a reason for the play to stop. Or does something like that count as no longer being in possession?

 

[Morkel]

Does this mean you can knock on/forward pass in that play as long as you retain possession? I can only see 'foul play' mentioned as a reason for the play to stop. Or does something like that count as no longer being in possession?

As soon as you make a mistake (that's not foul play), like forward pass, knock-on, it goes back to the opposition's error and you get the ball from that mark.

 

[Super Freak]

So you can run 90 metres up the field, knock the ball on and get it back?

I don't like it.

 

[Renegade]

it's already rustled some jimmies ITT, so i'm a big fan.

 

[Fernando]

The ESL has this rule in their regular season, don't they?

 

[Dash]

As soon as you make a mistake (that's not foul play), like forward pass, knock-on, it goes back to the opposition's error and you get the ball from that mark.

Yeah that's obviously going to be how it works, there's just nothing in the rules that mentions it. Although i guess 'still in possession' accounts for the fact that the referee can still take possession off you for an error (and then give it straight back to you for the change over).

On another note, it's going to be a pain if someone runs 90m, knocks it on and everyone has to run back 90m to restart play.

 

[theshed]

Quick play the balls rule this type of game. If your team is in this situation the smartest thing to do is hit up and get as quick of a play the ball as you can. To try something risky, despite the advantage this rule gives, still risks you having to go all the way back to the mark of the original error and playing the ball. Giving your opposition time to set their defensive line. Even with this rule it's not worth it to try something risky.


The only real benefit I can see this rule giving a team is time wasting, which is the exact opposite of the desired effect. If you're in front with not much time left and this happens, you kick deep and for the sideline. Then when you are awarded possession again regardless of the outcome of the kick, you take your sweet ass time getting back to the original mark to play the ball for your first tackle.

 

[M.B.88]

This rule is dumb