I think the main problem with six again is that fans on the terraces aren't actually up to speed on why it has been given . The play might have already moved on quite a way when the ref signals six again.

I don't agree with this at all and understand that fans of every club probably feel hard done to, even at the same game.

I think that it might have worked as a concept, a punishment that keeps the game going BUT in reality I think it's one of the most inconsistent, arbitrary rules from an enforcement POV. Most of it seems subjective because the infringements tend to be minor in nature.

What i was trying to say was that play can move on & fans can be left wondering what-the-flipping-heck-was-that-for when the hooter sounds & the ref waves his arm.

Apologies for the 'anti six again' misread

Not arrissed until they knock the "I have a try" on field nonsense on the head.

Absolutely!

I see they have also outlawed the ‘Asiata Tackle’.

There's a great joke here but it's not very PC so I'll shut up!

Some further changes for next year. Tightening the rules around head contact. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-28182083 I would assume there will be a huge increase in the number of cards issued next season.

Some further changes for next year. Tightening the rules around head contact. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-28182083 I would assume there will be a huge increase in the number of cards issued next season.

No doubt the usual suspects will escape the wrath of the officials & MRP.

The focus on Head Contact is going to change our game. Rugby Union has moved quite well with relatively few sendings off in the recent world cup. In Rugby League we have always tackled high ... "they can't run without their head". I can see lots of red cards for collisions that most of us would class as rugby incidents. We will have to change. This will upset all of us who have loved (and played in) the era of biff & bash but I reckon we are in for a rude awakening and I suppose we knew it was coming.

Quote ="Alffi_7"Some further changes for next year. Tightening the rules around head contact. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-28182083 I would assume there will be a huge increase in the number of cards issued next season.'" For a few weeks at the start, at least.

Quote ="Alffi_7"Some further changes for next year. Tightening the rules around head contact. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-28182083 I would assume there will be a huge increase in the number of cards issued next season.'" For a few weeks at the start, at least.

These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---

These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---

The RFL seems hell bent on self harm.

I'm afraid the RFL has little choice on this.

Quote ="Alffi_7"These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---'" The slow death of rugby league is becoming more apparent each season. There won't be a sport left in 10 years time the way things are going.

Quote ="Alffi_7"These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---'" The slow death of rugby league is becoming more apparent each season. There won't be a sport left in 10 years time the way things are going.

Quote ="Alffi_7"These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---'" I watched a lot of the Academy games where this rule was trialled and the games were a complete farce. Since I have already purchased my Season Ticket, I will try my best to watch our games for 2024 season, but if I hadn`t bought one, I doubt if I would watch the sport anymore.

Quote ="Alffi_7"These are significant! https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62 ... om-2024---'" I watched a lot of the Academy games where this rule was trialled and the games were a complete farce. Since I have already purchased my Season Ticket, I will try my best to watch our games for 2024 season, but if I hadn`t bought one, I doubt if I would watch the sport anymore.

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.

Just wondering how the difference between shoulder height & armpit height will be policed when referees & touch judges can't even identify forward passes & offside at the ruck. Surely lowering contact to elbow height would be advisable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.