The National Rugby League (NRL) has confirmed there will be no rule changes implemented for the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership following the annual end of season review.
The NRL has provided Clubs with a number of areas in the game where levels of compliance with the existing rules needed to be improved.
Clubs have been advised that key areas of the game including the play-the-ball and 10-metre compliance would be monitored closely throughout the NRL and NRLW seasons. There has also been further clarity and guidelines provided for the handling of obstruction.
NRL Executive General Manager Elite Football, Graham Annesley said rule changes introduced by the Commission over recent seasons have resulted in faster, more attacking football with increased ball in play with just a few key areas identified for greater vigilance to ensure the standard of play remained at the highest levels across both competitions.
"All of the indicators we measure across the season show that our on-field product is in very good shape and that the rule changes introduced by the Commission in recent years are having the desired impact," Annesley said.
"There are some areas of the game where standards have started to drop and other areas that required additional clarity around the way the game is officiated.
"The play-the-ball by the attacking team was one area that we needed to address, as well as 10-metre compliance by the defending team.
"Last season we saw too many examples of players not making a genuine attempt to play-the-ball, so our match officials will be looking at that closely and we've also tweaked the way the referee will manage the 10 metres to ensure more consistency when defenders are allowed to advance."
Annesley said new guidelines on the interpretation of obstruction aim to achieve a better balance between rewarding the tactical use of lead-runners to deceive the defence, and ensuring defensive structures are afforded a fair opportunity to adjust, while also minimising the incentive for players to 'play for' (i.e. milk) penalties.
"We have provided clarity on some key principles in relation to the refereeing of obstruction as well as the considerations for match officials in applying those principles," he said.
The NRL has also informed Clubs it will also use the Pre-Season Challenge to trial a new assessment for the use of the sin-bin for illegal high tackles.
The trial will be implemented during the pre-season only and will see players responsible for illegal high tackles sin-binned for 10 minutes if the tackle results in the opposing player being removed from the field as a Category 1 HIA or fails the Category 2 HIA assessment, regardless of whether play has subsequently resumed after the incident.
High tackles identified by match officials will continue to be penalised by the referee as per current practice and the referee will retain the discretion to immediately send players from the field.
It's important to note all high contact is still subject to the Match Review and Judiciary process to disincentivise against tackles of this nature.
The updated guidelines have been communicated to the NRL Clubs and Coaches.
