LEEDS RHINOS head coach Brad Arthur has urged Super League referees to be ‘strong’ and for rugby league fans to be ‘patient’ with the new ruck interpretation introduced by the International Rugby League (IRL).
Players must now not encroach within ten metres of an opponent waiting for the ball and must immediately retire once an opponent secures possession.
That is intended to speed up the ruck which will see the likes of Bevan French and Lachie Miller potentially run defences ragged around the play-the-ball.
With the new interpretation being rolled out on Boxing Day for Leeds Rhinos’ win over Wakefield Trinity, Arthur has called for patience and consistency given the fact that it might take some getting use to.
“The competition will be better for it. With the adjustments made to the ruck, I’m hoping the referees stick at it,” Arthur said.
“We had the chance on Boxing Day to experience that and if they continue down the same path then it will make for a better product.
“I hope the refs stay strong with it. Supporters need to be patient with it because they might get some things wrong and there might be issues with consistency early on but I feel it’s better for the game as a whole.
Arthur is also a fan of the extended Super League competition, with Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique and York Knights being elevated to the top flight.
“I think it will be fairer having just home and away for the competition. There’s talk about there not being enough quality players to fill teams but younger players can only get experience by playing,” Arthur said.
“I’m for the idea of having an extra couple of teams because younger players won’t get better by being in the reserves each week.”