I like the free play rule but would possibly use it differently. Teams are allowed a free play to gain 30 meters. Anything passed that and advantage has been played. Will stop the large kick chase.

I've seen plenty of players injured off in fouls this year, and the best they get is a free interchange off the existing bench and a penalty. We regularly see head high shots leading to players not able to continue, with the offenders conceding a penalty and being put on report. They may well get suspended the next week, but that is no help at all to a team which is a man down.

In any event I'm sure junior players would love the chance to be on the bench just in case. You could easily limit it to just a few players - I'd go for a wing/full back (ideally one player who can cover both), halfback and hooker.

Video ref for all games or not at all (All teams in the same league should be playing by the same rules)


Get rid of the draw and bring in the Golden point (No set of fans come away happy or sad from a draw, sport is about winning and losing)


Scrap playing two games over Easter (The standard of rugby drops massively for the Monday and for a week or two after that also)

Play the ball needs sorting before anything else, IMO. Also getting a shot clock on the video ref. If he can't make a decision in a couple of minutes, there has to be some doubt. Leave a draw as a draw. Golden point in play-offs is fine but only after 5mins each way of normal rugby.

How do you stop it just being 5 mins worth of teams exchanging drop goals / attempted drop goals? Perhaps make it "next try is the winner" instead?

I think the only way to do it would be copy the NFL, but that would force us to change kick-off rules, i.e. the team that scores kicks off. Essentially if the team that receives the ball scores a try on their first possession they win. If they kick a DG or penalty goal, the opposition have one set to score or they lose.

Nah there's nothing wrong with a draw. The teams have had 80 minutes to do better than the opposition.

There's no reason for golden point in non-knockout games except to artificially sensationalise the sport. Something the RFL is regularly criticised for with things like the Magic Weekend etc.

I would change the rules on the kickoff though. Have the team that scored kick off.

Plenty of Aussie fans dislike the golden point and wish they had draws like SL. I agree with them.

A penalty for knocking the ball behind your own dead-ball line seems unbelievably harsh. We arguably see too many grubber kicks into the in-goal as it is; this would make it even worse.

Agreed! Too much rugby at a substandard level does the sport no favours.

One set of rules world wide.

I've got to agree with posters keeping the draw it's usually 'earned' and that to me is fair. Wire's draw at KR this year seemed like a loss to me and probably felt like a win to the valiant 12 in any event

I'd get rid of the 40-20 Rule.
I'd also get rid of the free play.

Why?

The 40/20 rule is the best modern rule change by a mile.

And totally ignored by players / coaches who just can't seem to see how good and powerful it is.
Somehow running through a brick wall is seen as easier.