Calls grow for return to two referees as six-again rule blamed for damaging integrity of 10-metre rule
The NRL’s one-referee system is losing support with head coaches as some warn the six-again tackle restart is beginning to have the opposite effect than what was initially intended.
The six-again rule was introduced to help bring fatigue back into the game with the goal of promoting a more attacking style of rugby league, increasing the game’s entertainment value.
The ARL Commission also switched back to one referee in a bid to prevent the over policing and minimising the impact match officials had on the outcomes of games.
According to one leading Sydney coach, those two changes combined, are no longer having the desired impact on increased fatigue and entertainment.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the coach told News Corp Australia, he believed the NRL needed to consider switching back to the two referee system.
He believes the introduction of the six-again rule has damaged the integrity of the 10-metre rule because it’s forcing referees to stand too close to the ruck and, in turn, encouraging players to break the line before it is legal to do so.
“One referee, trying to watch for the six-again rule naturally has to stand close to the ruck so when you do that, the first thing that goes is the 10-metre line and by the time a tackled player plays the ball, the line could be as little as six metres,” he said.
“But they didn’t want to blow the penalty before because it slows down the game and they think it takes out the fatigue element.
“I really think there is merit to returning to a two-referee system. You have a main referee ruling on the game and the ruck and second referee, they just mark a clear 10-metre line.
“If the game wants fatigue then that’s how you get it. You won’t be blowing the penalties because it ensures no one can stand off-side.”
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler questioned whether match officials had received a new directive from referees boss Bernard Sutton to ping sides in a bid to restore the the integrity of the 10-metre line, which had diminished since the six-again restart.
Ashley Klein blew nine penalties in Thursday night’s clash between St George Illawarra and South Sydney with six of those penalties awarded for breaking the 10-metre offside rule.
Referees boss Sutton told News Corp Australia that match officials were not given a directive or edict to crackdown on players standing offside in the defensive line.
“We are just encouraging the referees to deal with the issues and challenges as they present in games. That has undoubtedly led to some increased penalties for 10 metre due to some teams becoming less compliant or more challenging in that area,” Sutton said.
While there may not be a directive from Sutton, there has been an upward trend in penalties awarded for infringing the 10-metre rule.
According to Fox Sports Lab, 101 offside penalties have been blown since round six of the competition compared to 49 in the opening five rounds of the season.
The NRL will review the success of one referee system at the conclusion of the competition before deciding whether to continue with the change beyond season 2020.
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