https://www.totalrl.com/new-rule-set-to ... ague-2025/

https://www.totalrl.com/new-rule-set-to ... ague-2025/

I was watching a retro game from 2002 on Now TV. (Widnes vs Leeds). I was reminded of how brutal our sport used to be and how fast the play the balls were, before the lie-on-athons.

Here we go again. They'll probably end up changing a load of random stuff but not even touching the "I have a Try" farce which can regularly lead to tries being given because they can't overturn the on field ref's interpretation with the cameras they have. Won't be holding my breath!

Fiddling while Rome burns

Or to steal another quote, "a wretched hive of scum and villainy"!

Removing the 'double movement' rule seems odd. Plenty of things could be improved in the modern game, but that is one rule that I have never really had an issue with.

I couldn't fathom what they mean. Cus, a double movement is a pretty simple transgression and I never see much discrepancy around it aside from the odd time the ball may bounce up or the momentum looks like it may have stopped. Didn't Wigan score one like that against us recently where the ball carrier definitely promoted the ball over the line but they gave it no questions asked? I also couldn't work out if they meant to eradicate it altogether, because then it just becomes a free for all.

Yes, the wording from Hicks is far from clear. "And we are also going to consider the removal of the double movement rule, either by totally changing it or changing the sanction." So first, are they going to remove the rule or change it? And second, are they just going to change the sanction? Very confusing. Not sure what he means by 'change the sanction' either - maybe just make the player in possession play the ball, rather than be penalised? Make it a handover rather than a penalty? God knows.

I wouldn't be too miffed if they ruled that a player making a double-movement is just told to play the ball. Seems a harsh penalty if you're reaching for the line and your arm happens to bounce on the floor under the weight of the tackle. In that sense it's not too dissimilar to the referee bringing a player back because the ball was passed after 'held' was called. Neither side is penalised.

Could we have a rule that penalises

1. Waving arms in an exasperated manner at the play the ball in a perma-penalty appeal.
2. Feigning injury.

they are also going to allow players to be tackled in the air when they jump for a catch. I thought that was brought in for player safety.
I think with some of the refs decisions we see these days the ref may as well roll a dice to see what the decision should be. Double six & Vaughan gets a 3 match ban.

I agree. Also similar to when a player moves off the mark before playing the ball. It always used to be penalised but now they just get told to move back and play the ball.

In fairness, they did mention better use of the green card to eliminate point 2.

If a rule is brought in regarding point 1, it should surely be known as The Charnley Rule, in honour of our erstwhile winger.