Auckland Nines 2016 - a new rule

[Graham]

New Rule for the Tournament

 

Today the NRL announced a rule change for the Auckland Nines in February, giving teams a ‘free play’ advantage after the opposing team makes a mistake.

The rule allows the team who gains possession from a mistake to attempt a high-risk play without fear of losing advantage

Here’s how it works.

The referee will call “zero tackle” when a team gains possession from either a knock on, forward pass or accidental off-side.

They will then signal a ‘free play’, which will give the team in possession an extra advantage, meaning they will retain the ball even if they make a mistake on the first play.

Just think of the opportunistic passes and ridiculous kicks that may or may not come off!

Even if the ball is lost or dropped on the first play, the referee will order a play-the-ball at the sight of the original infringement.

Advantage is only complete if the team scores, if a player commits foul play or a player with the ball is tackled.

The rule also states that teams can kick the ball on a turnover play and get it back if the team that committed the error recovers it, and they will also get possession back following a tap down or strip.

The NRL has confirmed this is the only major rule change for the Waitangi Weekend tournament.

 

THE NEW CLAUSE — FREE PLAY ADVANTAGE

1. The Referee should look to play advantage wherever possible.

a. Following a knock on, forward pass, or accidental off-side and where the non-offending team gains possession, the Referee will immediately call and signal “zero tackle” to indicate a “free play” and allow play to continue until the ball is correctly brought into play (or points are scored) at the next play-the-ball, providing the team attempting to take advantage is still in possession.

b. The advantage shall be deemed as complete when (a) the ball is correctly brought back into play i.e., play-the-ball on “zero tackle”;

( points have been scored (by scoring of a try or kicking a field goal), or © the team in possession is penalised for foul play.

c. For the purpose of this Law, the opposing team playing at the ball during the “free play” will not constitute possession, and the advantage should be allowed to continue.

d. If the non-offending team is still in possession at the next play-the-ball then the Referee will call and signal that tackle as “zero tackle”. If the team attempting to take advantage loses possession before the next play-the-ball then the Referee will blow his/her whistle and order a play-the-ball to the (original) non-offending team at the point of the original infringement.

[Farmduck]

I don't like it in SL and I can't see why 9s, in particular, needs it.

[DiddyDave]

Agree,absolutely ridiculous.