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The Rugby Football League is set to ditch the controversial ball-steal rule after just one season.

The laws were amended at the start of the season to allow a player to steal the ball from an opponent if his team-mates drop off the tackle in time.

The rule, copied from the NRL, created confusion and all sorts of difficulties for referees in deciding whether players had fallen off the tackle before the ball steal.

Now the governing body’s laws committee will seek RFL board approval to remove the rule from the start of the 2022 season.

A spokesman said: “Members were unanimous in their view that the law be rolled back to its 2021 interpretation and that the RFL should lobby the International Rugby League for the law’s removal from the international game from 2022.”

The committee also considered bringing back scrums to the domestic game but decided it was still too early and agreed to look at the issue again in a month’s time.

Scrums were removed from matches when the Super League season resumed last August in a bid to cut down on the number of close contacts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Scrums remain in the international laws and will be used in the end-of-season World Cup.

Included on the 12-strong laws committee are leading referee Robert Hicks, Wakefield coach Chris Chester, RFL head of match officials Steve Ganson and former Great Britain internationals Paul Sculthorpe and Kris Radlinski.

https://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/spor ... on-3267746

josie andrews wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:19 am The rule, copied from the NRL, created confusion and all sorts of difficulties for referees in deciding whether players had fallen off the tackle before the ball steal.

Did it? The ones I've seen have been pretty clear - the player even shouts his players to drop off and waits to steal. It doesn't seem like we've seen enough of this season to be making decisions on rule changes for next (and why do they have to change rules every year anyway - to justify this "panels" existence?)

Mike wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:24 am

josie andrews wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:19 am The rule, copied from the NRL, created confusion and all sorts of difficulties for referees in deciding whether players had fallen off the tackle before the ball steal.

Did it? The ones I've seen have been pretty clear - the player even shouts his players to drop off and waits to steal. It doesn't seem like we've seen enough of this season to be making decisions on rule changes for next (and why do they have to change rules every year anyway - to justify this "panels" existence?)

Rather basic rule and most scenarios are obvious.

More changes yet again.

Get rid of that golden point shite as well

Glad it’s going. Good to see the the RFL are prepared to remove it after one season. If only football had the balls to act like the RFL and get rid of VAR.

I'll say what I always say: there should be one set of laws world-wide. Like every other damned sport!

Personally I don't think the rule's unreasonable or 'confusing'. It's not like it's a frequent occurrence.

Hate the current rule, 3 people tackle put the player in a awkward position. 2 players drop off and the 3rd steals the ball due to the position the carrier is left in.

medlocke wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:46 am Get rid of that golden point shite as well

This!!!!!!

medlocke wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:46 am Get rid of that golden point shite as well

Yes exactly biggest load of crap going! Hated it when it started in the NRL but it blew my top when they (RFL) introduced it here.

RL is a simple game but is being made more & more complicated because of all the tinkering with rules & play!

Bring in 2 referee challenges and prove Hicks is a shit referee