On the golden point subject, I don't see why people get their knickers in a twist. It's very rare we have draws, and whilst I get the sentiment of being happy with a point, the golden point is more entertainment for your money, at worst case scenario, you're getting more game time for your entrance fee.
I like it as a concept, agree about the issues with refs putting the whistle in their pocket, but overall it adds to the drama at the end of the game, and anything that does that makes the game more interesting - will no doubt ads controversy, but at least that will give the press something to write about.

On the whole, I just wish as a sport that we could agree to having 1 set of rules, governed internationally so that all levels of the game (at least professionally) are playing to the same rules. This is a step in the right direction.

of course not, that would be far too sensible an idea for the RFL

I think we might see some teams start playing 80 min hookers, and maybe stop using the loose as a third prop. I don't think we'll see any difference to props though, with four still being selected in the side, doing roughly 40 mins each between two spells.

Damian Irvine :
Golden Point.

A common criticism since its introduction in the NRL is that a team who earns a draw over 80mins walks away pointless if beaten in golden point.

Solution: both teams get 1 point for the draw at 80mins with the golden point winner getting an extra point.

10:07 AM - Nov 20, 2018

Golden point sucks as more often than not its decided by a drop goal. Taking away draws when an extra 10 mins can result in a draw anyway makes no sense.

I would of liked to of seen the kicking the ball dead 7 tackle rule changed. Attacking kicks made in the 20 metre zone shouldn't be punished. That isnt kicking a ball dead.

Still no change with the PTB which is a disappointing. Another year of farcical non play the ball.

[sizeAbsolutely spot on.[/size

I like the free play rule a good rule change similar to success of 40-20 rule.

I am indifferent about the number of subs.

Stop clock will just encourage more players to fake injuries to stop the clock and its an awful idea, refs should just start penalizing deliberate time wasting like they used to.

Golden point no thanks, nothing wrong with a draw and watching your side snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat feels like a win and is exiting enough. plus on Friday evening games, extra time means some people will miss trains buses etc. we need more games actually finishing on something like time games from kick off are already getting from around 90 mins (half time plus stoppages) to nearly 2 hours.

not a fan of the 7 tackle rule if ball goes dead in goal, if it goes straight dead without bouncing maybe , but feel a side attempting a pin point kick into the in goal trying to get a drop our or score a try and it rolls out by a foot or so, unfairly get punished, these type of kicks should be encouraged as attacking kicks.

by my reading of the table there were 4 draws in the 2018 regular season, meaning golden point would only have been used in 2.9% of games, to me it just extends the last 5-10 mins of a game where teams are trying for drops goals anyway! I suppose the entertainment value and quality of rugby is then quite subjective!

I suppose one benefit would be that British players may become marginally better at situations where a drop goal is required. I remember us looking clueless in extra time of the 2014 WCC, whereas Sydney basically were far more composed and direct.

Exactly, The amount of draws is minimal so why the need for Golden Point.

I would abolish all forms of goal-kicking. 4 points for a try, bonus point for a try scored from your own half. By and large, games won by the team that scores the most tries. Maybe some other tinkering to make tries more valuable when scored via entertaining play and less valuable from diving over from 2 metres out.

It's strange how things change. The original definition of a try was that it enabled teams to have a "try" at scoring a goal. Games were decided by the number of goals scored, with no points for the try itself.

Rugby is a game of attrition and territory, and building pressure to score from 2 metres out should be just as valid (if not as entertaining) as the 90 metre try that passes through 10 pairs of hands.

The 7 tackle rule for the ball going dead was to stop teams hoofing the ball 70 metres up-field and making the opposition restart against a set defence from the 20 metre line. I'd prefer a tweak where a kick from inside the defending 40 was 6 tackles instead of 7.

No need for golden point. Daft idea (imo), and I'd prefer a golden try to decide cup matches (or potentially any combination of point-scoring that adds up to 4 points or more).

The free play is good, and encourages some entertaining play. Teams need to be coached to deal with it properly though. I hate it when (my own team!) have a free play, throw the ball about and gain 20-30 metres, and then decide on a speculative kick or risky pass that goes awry. Just take the territorial advantage that the free play has given you rather than thinking you have to score from it!

Good point regarding the play of the ball . I can’t recall the exact year but at the start of one season the RFL clamped down on the play on the ball , however it didn’t last long . Along with the offside offence it is easily punished ,just keep penalising the offending team and then it’s the captains job to sort his side out .

And another thing the officials don’t pick up on iis a drop out behind the sticks nearly all players take it on or over the line. Once again it’s simple , penalise It .