NRL 2 Referees and Rule Changes

11th December 2008

The Telstra Premiership will break new ground in 2009 with two referees to be used on the field. The NRL Board today gave its approval to the biggest on-field change to the way the game is controlled in a century. The two referee model will be applied for the Telstra Premiership only and will have one referee oversee the play-the-ball and another based on the ten-metre line. The ‘main’ referee will always be the person stationed at the ten-metre line and will be the one who will use the whistle to order stoppages or penalties. The second referee will communicate directly to the referee controlling the whistle. The referees will alternate roles during the match. “This is a major step and another demonstration of the priority that is placed in officiating our game,” National Rugby League Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop said today. “Referees face an incredibly tough role in our game and we have been committed to ensuring they receive the support they need in preparing for that role - from full-time employment to providing all necessary resources. “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 Board today signed off on all recommendations from the Annual Chief Executives Conference and Football Conference. Mr Gallop said that the process of involving a broad cross section of individuals had allowed the management and the Board to affect a number of important changes for 2009. “Week in and week out Rugby League produces a standard of football that is unrivalled," Mr Gallop said. “We need to ensure that we are also evolving in the way the game is administered on the field without affecting the fabric of how it is played. The work that has gone into the last few months will achieve that outcome.”

In addition to the dual referees, the Board today approved:

  • The removal of the video referee from adjudicating on the stripping rule.
  • Reducing the power of the video referee to adjudicate on matters of foul play only when those matters are sufficiently serious to warrant a player being placed on report.
  • A directive to referees and the judiciary to take even stronger action against grapple tackles. These measures will include a review of judiciary points, the removal of existing precedents and the use of the sin-bin for repeated or serious offences in a game.
  • The end of an NRL experiment positioning tap re-starts 20m in from touch. All will now revert to the International Rule of 10m.
  • Interchange to remain at ten interchanges from a bench of four players for 2009 and 2010. This will be discussed again at the conclusion of the 2009 for season 2011 and beyond.
  • New measures to reduce time wasting at scrums. Players who rush to pack a scrum to ensure the referee signals ‘time-off’ but then break the formation will lose that advantage with the referee immediately signalling a ‘re-start’ to play and ‘time-on’.
  • The NRL will develop guidelines before the start of the 2009 season that will regulate public comment from any player or official about matters likely to be reviewed by the judiciary.
  • Current provisions in relation to ‘prior loadings’ affecting any judiciary charge will be retained.
  • A player who receives ‘carry-over’ points as the result of a judiciary charge will receive a five point reduction from his overall tally for every match he plays without a further offence.
  • Defenders who seek to prevent tries by leading with their feet or legs may be charged with misconduct.

    NSWRL Junior Interchange Adjustment

    February 2009

    You can only name a 17 man squad for NSWRL junior (U18/U16) fixtures on the day, rather than the full 25 man squad, bringing the juniors inline with other grades.

    HOME / RETURN