Graham

So who packs down in the scrum is to be policed. What a waste of effort that is. Only forwards or designated forwards can pack down.

As far as I can tell Badger has only had one Origin game and no internationals whereas Ashley Clown has had 2 Origins and 26 internationals. Cummins has had 14 Origins and Sutton 10

Several rules regarding the scrum, offside penalties and the use of the bunker will be trialled in two dead rubbers during the final round of the NRL. The NRL will limit the use of scrums and minimise stoppages for bunker referrals and penalties under a set of rules to be trialled in this weekend’s dead rubbers. In some of the most drastic rule changes experimented with at NRL level, offside penalties will result in set restarts while scrums won’t be packed when the ball is kicked into touch. The rules will be tried in Brisbane’s clash with North Queensland as well as Manly’s date with the Warriors on Sunday. Under the rules, balls kicked into touch will simply be treated as a handover with a play-the-ball in a bid to have more play time. “This will speed the game up and encourage teams to run the ball on the last tackle rather than kicking it out all the time,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said. When scrums are packed for errors, only players designated as forwards pre-match will be able to pack in them, as well as those who replace them on the interchange. Teams will be able to get the referees’ permission to change a player’s designated position if there are injuries. In the event of an offside, the referee will signal six again with a penalty to be awarded in the case of repeated infringements, professional fouls or when the ball has been lost. But if the attacking team is ruled to have lost the ball deliberately to try and gain the advantage of a full penalty, the defensive side will be awarded a scrum win. Meanwhile, the bunker referral process will also change in the dead rubbers. If a referee believes a try has been scored, the bunker will review the play while the goal kick is being set up. They can then come over the top of the on-field call and tell the referee to pause the kick at goal if they believe they may need to reverse the try. If that rule had been in place last week, the bunker could have reversed Jaxson Paulo’s try for South Sydney after replays clearly showed his leg going into touch. If a referee wishes to refer a decision but he does not believe a try has been scored, that can still be sent straight to the bunker. “The Commission’s focus is to ensure our games are as entertaining and free flowing as possible for our fans,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said. “We are a sports entertainment business. It is important to continuously test innovative ideas, aimed at a better fan experience. “Like we have in previous seasons, we will use games which will have no impact on the top eight to test the potential rule changes. “We will obviously also take on board feedback from the players and clubs involved and report back to the commission during the off-season.”

Melbourne Storm R20 Storm's rested players Suliasi Vunivalu Brenko Lee Justin Olam Josh Addo-Carr Cameron Munster Jahrome Hughes Jesse Bromwich Cameron Smith Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Felise Kaufusi Kenny Bromwich Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Canberra Raiders R20 Raiders' rested players Jack Wighton Josh Papalii John Bateman Elliott Whitehead Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Jarrod Croker Jordan Rapana

Surely not?

He's reffed 354 NRL games and been touchjudge for 57. These figures put him in third place for all time games officiated at first grade, This Saturday's match between Bulldogs and Panthers will be his last. He's 47. His daughter posted on Instagram that he has apparently been shown the door by the NRL, rather than taking the decision himself.

Everyone sticking with Storm and Raiders then despite the restings.

Have you all seen the Storm and Raiders team lists?

Congratulations Irish Saint 2020 Champion NRL Survivor Competition. What a strange year it’s been. Well done to yourself and Sports Prophet getting through to the final. Hard luck choosing Souths, SP, who would have thought Bulldogs would beat them? None of us in the tipping comp thought it anyway.

Total Points After Round 19 Generally lower scores this week which proved to be a toughy. Did you manage to field a decent team or were you firefighting against injuries and ‘restings’? With one week left, anyone with trades left? I’m guessing some of you will be tradeless by now and will be keeping your fingers crossed there’s not too many key players rested and that you can get round the latest set of injuries. James and his high performing Pinging Ponga’s is nailed on to be our 2020 Champion with what is a big lead of almost 900 points going into the last week of our comp. Currently at 31st overall James has had a brilliant season. Good luck everyone. Round 20 will complete our TotalRL SuperCoach Season. Can I make an plea to you to get in early next season when our competition will restart here on this forum for the 2021 SC season. The 20 places available are always taken and I wouldn’t want you to miss out, friend. Cheers and all the best this week, Graham

H2H Updated after Round 19 H2H PREMIERSHIP: Our two finalists fo 2020 have been decided then. Well done to both James (PPs)and Oliver. Hard luck Peter and James (FCSelect). Some pretty closes contests this week with generally lower scores than during recent weeks. The obstacles to overcome have been a growing injury list to some key players and the resting of one or two valuable players before the finals. Let’s look at the H2H Minor Premiership 2020. Our two finalists have been decided: It is David (TRabs) who takes me, Graham (Darr D), on in this final. Hard luck to Michael (Dra7) and JP (RHoRLFC) who just missed out. It was a close call for me against JP in the semi final. All of yesterday I was just two points ahead while lockout was still in progress. I know revisions to scores happen and I’ve seen such situations reversed when scores are finalised. In this case though it was my score that was upped. Good luck to all in the final week of the comp next week (Round 20).

He was a good addition to my Supercoach squad last season. He's gone backwards!

If Josh Addo-Carr is to leave Melbourne Storm as announced then Storm want a quality replacement even if it is only on a one year arrangement. Who will they go for or get? They would have been happy to sign Alex Johston, but he has re-signed and shown his committment to Souths. Other names mentioned are David Nofoaluma, whom Tigers are not keen to let go and Brent Naden has been mentioned. Storm have said they won't release The Fox unless they get a suitable replacement. He is contracted to them until the end of the 2021 season.

We reported in the R19 Match Thread that Shaun Johnson had suffered a nasty injury which looked like a ruptured achilles tendon. This has now been confirmed on the Cronulla Sharks web site. Sharks tell us he is due to see a surgeon tomorrow (Mon 21st Sept) As for his team mate Royce Hunt we have yet to learn the full details of his injury. He is due to go for scans on his knee today (Sun 20th Sept) The early diagnosis however was a rupture to his patella and similar to Johnson he faces a long stint on the sidelines.