NRL Revised Rulings

Corner Posts

THE NRL has introduced a new rule sweeping aside corner posts when it comes to scoring a try, unless a player is already in touch. The NRL released a statement at 5pm saying: "The National Rugby League Board has agreed to an immediate rule change that will see corner posts no longer treated as ‘touch-in-goal’ in circumstances where a player comes into contact with them. Under the amendment approved by the RLIF as an experimental rule:

1. If a ball carrier makes contact with the corner post he will not be deemed to be out of play unless any part of his body has made contact with either the touch-line or touch-in-goal line, or the ground beyond the touch line or touch-in-goal line 

2. If the ball is not in possession of a player and it makes contact with the corner post (e.g. from a kick) the ball will be deemed to be touch-in-goal as per the existing rule. 

3. All other rules relating to the corner post and restarts of play remain unchanged.
While the amendment primarily relates to video referee decisions involving slow motion and freeze frame replays to determine whether a try has been scored, it also applies to a player attempting to run the ball out from his own in-goal if he brushes the corner post without contacting or crossing the touch line or touch-in-goal line. “The existing rule had become something of an anomaly in any case because the only place a player would be deemed to be in touch (or more accurately touch-in-goal) without actually making contact with the ground was when he came into contact with the corner post,” NRL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Graham Annesley, said today. “Under the existing rule a corner post that was leaning inwards could have prevented a try from being awarded because the rule gave the referee or the video-referee no discretion. “Given the increasing scrutiny that every decision is now under, there was a strong view that the rule should be changed before a team is disadvantaged. “There was overwhelming feedback from the clubs that if a change was to happen then it should take effect immediately.” Given that the Harvey Norman State of Origin series involves only NRL players and adopts NRL Rules, the ARL will also consider adopting the change in the Origin before the second match on June 16. It is important to note that the rule does not affect competitions outside of these and that it will not be introduced in Queensland Cup, NSW Cup and other competitions.

Jul 6 Deadline

The NRL Board today also announced that the rule which prevents clubs registering a contract with a player before Round 13 (of the final year of that player’s existing contract) will be amended for the 2010 season only. While players may continue to sign contracts with rival clubs at any time, the extension of the registration provision will mean that the NRL will not register a contract between a player and a new club until after Round 17 of the Telstra Premiership (Tuesday, July 6). The extension is to allow for greater certainty around the actual level of the cap going forward. The RLPA has been consulted and supports the extension to the deadline. “There are a number of unusual circumstances which are creating a level of uncertainty and we think that the extension is a reasonable course of action,” NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said.

Clubs Grants Increase

The National Rugby League Partnership Executive Committee has also agreed to lift the annual grant to clubs by $200,000 per year from $3.45m to $3.65m in 2011 with a further $100K rise to $3.75m in 2012. The Partnership has also agreed to a lift in the overall level of representative payments with the details of the payment schedules to be determined in the weeks ahead. Both moves create a positive background for the review of the salary cap over the next few weeks. “The work we have done in growing revenue through sponsorship, merchandising and government support has allowed the Partnership to look at the game’s future revenue projections and increase the level of funding for the clubs beyond what was already budgeted,” NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said today. “It goes without saying that the players should share in the benefits of that success but it is also important to remember that the game must aim to reach a point where the level of the grant matches the level of the salary cap (currently $4.1m). “That parity is important to ensure that clubs can become more profitable and that they can in turn afford to grow player payments further in the future. “In the meantime we need to ensure that we are growing player payments to the extent that can be afforded and the current review process that is being conducted is an important part of that. “Without pre-empting that review we expect that there will be a significant lift in the overall cap and in representative payments. “We will secure a clearer picture around each of those areas in the next few weeks.”