SUPER LEAGUE has put the brakes on in 2025 according to two leading coaches who point to slower ruck speeds creating “more intense” matches.
Warrington and Catalans played out a nail-biting 18-12 clash on Friday night with both Steve McNamara and Sam Burgess agreeing that the tackle and play-the-ball process is taking longer than it did last season.
McNamara said: “It was an intense game and we’ve seen a lot of that even so early in this season.
“There is a distinct change of ruck speed from last season to this and the way it’s being refereed.
“That is keeping a lot of games close and it’s very hard to get any physical advantage for either team. If the rucks are going to be refereed like that, I am happy for it to go that way as long as we’re all aware of it.
“We’re getting a lot of high-quality games, the kind of standards we see going into the end of season and play-offs and it was another one tonight.
“The ruck speed has gone down a mile, the readjustment in the tackle, getting on top in the tackle, flopping in tackles, having your hand on the ball and all of the things that were ripped apart at the start of last season – it’s the opposite this year.
“In my opinion that is the way it is being refereed. Some people might say it’s great, let the games flow, and it does to some extent but I think a big part of the game is physical dominance and teams should be allowed to gain an advantage in that area.
“My question to Phil Bentham (RFL head of match officials) is if that’s the way we are going to be refereed? And if it is then good, it’s not up to us to dictate how it is done, we have opinions as coaches but they make the decisions.
“I’m not sure if they have decided to allow slower ruck speed but it certainly looks like it, there is a massive difference this year.”
Warrington coach Sam Burgess agreed with McNamara on the change of ruck speed, adding, “I enjoy the way the game is being refereed; we are seeing more of a traditional game of Rugby League.
“The rucks are a bit slower but I like the way it is being handled.”