RFL trials proposed rule changes

[TRF_Cymro]

Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will test three of the Rugby Football League's proposed rule changes when they meet on Boxing Day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/20837595

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Teams with scrum-head and feed have the option to leave the loose forward out of the pack to create an extra man.
Charge-downs do not result in a reset of the tackle count, while if the ball is kicked dead from a team's own half, the opposition receive a 40-metre tap.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

40m tap is a good one, always seemed odd to me that the team could just hoof the ball as hard as possible then the restart is so close to the oppositions line.

Not too sure on the option of leaving out the 13 though.

 

[Sam Owen]

40m tap does change things for the better. Kickers would have to be a bit more careful despite the pressure of the defenders trying to charge down or sack.

Speaking of charge down, the new rule in regards to no re-count for charge downs is a good one IMO. If you fail to clear the ball because the opposition hustled hard to charge down your kick, you shouldnt be rewarded another set of 6 for your failure (given that you managed to regather the ball back after the charge down). Its a similar big play to that of Grid Iron when the quarter back gets sacked.

Not many backline set pieces of the scrum end up in a try but there are times that it does happen. Leaving the 13 out will most probably stamp out any more tries coming of the scrum. Its an interesting rule.

 

[LittleGuy]

In case anyone missed it the RFL have decided to keep the shoulder charge in for now, will be interesting to see if this results in any significantly differing strategies between NRL and Super League.