NRL head of football Graham Annesley says the Competition Committee will meet at the end of the season to determine whether changes to certain rules will make the game easier to officiate.

The high number of penalties in the first half of last week's State of Origin decider had Annesley's attention in his round 17 briefing, although he said there was nothing wrong the decisions made, and said it contributed to the intense outcome of the game.

Annesley did however reference the decision to take the corner post out of the in-goal area back in 2010, which has opened up the game for wingers and brought countless highlights to the NRL.

"At the end of the year we have got the Competition Committee meeting again and one of things that I think we need to spend a fair bit of time on is examining our current rules and whether we can actually make the game easier to officiate," Annesley said.

"It used to be that every time you brushed the corner post it was no try, and it didn't matter what angle the corner post was on โ€“ whether it was leaning in or leaning out if you touched the corner post it was no try.

"We took the corner post out of play and now we see some fantastic athleticism with players scoring fabulous tries, and it has really been a great addition to the game and the way the game is presented."

Annesley spoke about potential rule changes like double-movement, but stressed nothing specific will be in mind at the end-of-season meeting.

"We spend a lot of time trying to determine 'did momentum carry a player into the in-goal area'. His arm might have lifted but did it advance the ball. We spend a lot of time looking at that," Annesley said.

"In some other sports it doesn't matter, if you get the ball over the goal line it is a try.

"They are just examples and are not necessary on the agenda, but I think it is worthy of a discussion if it is going to make it easier for the officials to make decisions."

2 COMMENTS

  1. I doubtthey will wait to the end of the season. Everybody knows. The NRL allow the refs to change the rules like every season one or two weeks out from the semifinals

  2. How about enforcing the rules that are already in the rulebook.!!

    E.G. Voluntary Tackle. It is embarrassing watching players dive for the ground.

    Who decided not to enforce the rule? And on who’s ultimate authority?

    NRL asleep at the wheel as usual.

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