The Rules of Rugby League
NRL Rule Changes for 2009
Source: NRLThe NRL board confirmed today the biggest on-field change to the way the game is controlled in its 100 year history.
The two-referee model will apply to the top-flight NRL competition only, with one official patrolling the play-the-ball area and the other positioned on the 10-metre defensive line.
The main referee will be the 10-metre official, who will use the whistle to order stoppages or penalties. The second referee will communicate directly to the referee who has the whistle.
The referees will alternate roles during a match. "This is a major step and another demonstration of the priority that is placed in officiating our game,'' NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.
"Today's decision is a fundamental change to the refereeing model and one that reflects the pace and demands of today's game. Not for a second do I think this will stop people arguing about on-field decisions but they can't argue about the professionalism or the dedication of those involved in making the decisions.''
- THE introduction of two on-field referees
- PLAYERS not having to control the ball while scoring a try and being able to ground it with their arm;
- FORCING the attacking team to stay bound to the scrum, with backs who rush to pack down in order to have time suspended forced to contest the scrum;
- AWARDING tap kicks from penalties 10m in from touch, not 20m;
- STOPPING the video referee assisting on stripping-the-ball and foul-play decisions;
- CUTTING reliance on the video ref, to make the game more fluid. The introduction of two referees is shaping as one biggest rule changes in the games history. It was implemented to stop referees tiring. It is predicted the referee's average maximum heartbeat will drop from 180 to 170 this year under the new rule, while still controlling 80 per cent of the game.