[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_24388-rule-changes-set-for-2017.html2017 rule changes[/url

Good that they are doing away with the stupid rule where you could straddle the dead ball line and touch the ball in the field and it be your tap and also like the extra 5 metres at the scrum and the 7 tackles at the 20 metre restart. Should all promote positive play hopefully

Even better news that we have a new topic....was beginning to think the forum was dead!

In all seriousness, the rule changes look worthwhile. Anything that promotes more positive play is good for the game.

I always thought it was a scrum, has this now changed to a tap kick?

Yer pretty sure it was head and feed at the scrum. Really happy they have got rid of knocking the ball out for a restart. The amount of good attacking kicks that hav'nt been rewarded since that rule was introduced is shocking.

Mostly welcome changes, but not a fan of the 7 tackle set rule.

If the touchies actually enforced the 5m rule from the back of the scrum and teams were allowed to keep the ball at the foot of the LF instead of the ref calling out as soon as it hits the second rows feet this wouldn't need a rule change.
the rule was fine, it was the enforcement that was ludicrously poor.
5m from the base of the scrum for defenders is effectively 10m to where the ball is played at the back of the attacking teams scrum. This would be in line with the current 10m rule.
Sorry but it's garbage and avoids what the real issue was, you can also forget about the kick/chip from the base of a scrum now, so much for more attacking/exciting play.
Also why give an extra tackle for the 20m restart? A kick that literally rolls over the back and we know how tight the in goal areas are in RL and you give your opponents 7 tackles starting on the 20m...hmmmm

1 :the ball is out at scrum as soon as emerges from the second rows feet that's why loose forward can pick ball up
2: the defence now will stand 10m from the centre of the scrum (ie 40m line if centre of scrum is set on half way line for example instead of 5metres from the back of scrum so will only add another two metres at most
3: 7 tackles in effect from attacking kick going dead or touch in goal will encourage more accurate kicking (not kicking it dead) instead of just kicking ingoal and hoping defender now plays at it which will now result in a dropout if straddling dear all \touch ingoal line

Yes I this now a tap 20m in from touch instead of head and feed to kicking team at a successful 40-20 kick with referee giving "reasonable" time for defence to get back! And officials in position

They should have also introduced the shot clock for goal line drop outs

Why?
It's the best of the rules imo. Leeds a few years ago used to purposefully kick dead just to set the line of defence. They called it a 'drown play'
If you're gonna concede 7 tackles itll make teams think instead of aimlessly kicking the ball dead for no consequence.

Yep, decent changes, finally got rid of that daft rule about making the ball dead so actually rewarding good attacking play.

Agree with that Jake.

Would also like to see them introduce the rule where the six players who rush in to form a scrum and stop the clock have to stay in the scrum. Hate it when they all then walk away.

Introduction of 7 tackle rule is a big plus. Teams will run more on the last tackle and any kicks have to be really accurate.

Very good point. Olso the 6 men staying in the scrum would be better.remember years ago longy packing down in opposing scrum to the delight of the crowd but confusion of players

Where did I say the LF couldn't pick up the ball? The ball used to be only 'out' when it was either picked up by the LF or out the back of the LF feet/picked up by SH, you don't make a point relevant to what I said.
2. Again, you are just stating the rule, I know what the rule is, my point ws that the current rule of defenders having to stand 5m from the back foot of their pack/LF was fine, it is enough room for attacking play IF policed by the officials, it hasn't being for years.
3. Again, you don't actually address what I said, just repeating the new law.

Most of the laws have been in years but teams have just smartened up exploited the laws already there

You could for years catch a team offside by the second row holding the ball at their feet and the defence would then think it's out and encroach and be penalised
But they would be entitled to move as soon as it passes the second rows feet and is at loose forwards feet and entitled to go for it

I would of liked to see a law that if a team quickly pack six players and have a scrum half there to stop the clock at scrum the same players must remain there and form the scrum for that scrum and not wander off and players swap places.

1) Why don't teams tap the ball with their knees as it is quicker and legal to do so at 20m restarts?

2) why don't teams simply move the mark back at a tap penalty to as far back as they want as the defence has to stay 10m from original message mark instead of kicking the ball backwards into touch when near opposition goal line which allows defence to set themselves 10m from the new mark ( I understand sometimes it is advantageous when penalty is nearer than 10m from touch to kick it into touch to get more width at second phase tap) but not just when it's near the goal line?!

It actually isn't legal. The 20m restart is actually called a 20m optional kick. You can either play the ball to yourself by tapping the foot (the kick bit) or by hoofing it straight downfield and maybe hoping to get it into touch after a bounce (and recovering possession).

With you on this. Maybe next year.

Yes but seen as you can tap the ball anywhere between your toe and your knee shin included it is legal!

The referees also need to ENFORCE the rule whereby the player actually puts the ball on the ground and plays it with his foot. It might encourage more craft from dummy half rather than endless scoots.

Totally agree. Still teaching kids from 5 yrs old to play the ball with foot only to see the professionals continually not bothering. Would help to clean the ruck up imo and like you say maybe encourage more creative play

Totally agree and it would only take a couple of video referee decisions of not awarding trys because at the previous play the ball it wasn't played with the foot and all players would make sure they played the ball correctly plus the added bonus the players wouldn't know if the next play they were going to score and be refered to video so would make sure they played the ball

All well and good enforcing a correct PTB but the sloppy ones are often a countermeasure to all the wrestling and other interference to prevent the ball being played. Can't have one without the other. Ironic the suggestion comes from a Pies fan, the team that has done more than any other to ruin the PTB.

We'll be buggered then. In a top 5 of players that don't play the ball propey talsnoa Fonua and watts would all be in tbf

don't agree to be honest. At the end of the day no matter how much wrestling occurs on the floor you have to regain your feet. Majority of the time the player could play the ball with his foot but just doesn't bother as he knows the rule is never enforced. A few penalties against would soon sort it out. Would you fancy facing Radders after game if a loss came down to not playing a ball correctly. Time we stopped making excuses for not enforcing a simple rule