NRL: Rules encourage counter-attacks

Players such as Jarryd Hayne will have more time and space to run back the kick. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY- A season of all-out counter-attack from the NRL's excitement machines is on the cards with new restrictions on kick-chasers heading "downtown".

Referees have been ordered to crack down on players heading downfield when their side kicks in general play.

In the past, a fullback or winger could find themselves ringed by chasers who had charged towards them, on some occasions before the ball had even been played.

This year chasers will be required to stay behind the play-the-ball until the ball flies over their heads.

They'll be warned to stay back by referees and penalised if they continue downfield.

It means more time and space for back-three ball runners such as Jarryd Hayne, Billy Slater, Brett Stewart and Lote Tuqiri.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the move had come out of a meeting of referees boss Robert Finch and coaches.

"We've got a lot of great ball-runners in the game, people like Slater and so on, and it tends to nullify that sensational aspect of the game when those guys are cut down before they even have a chance to start moving, and basically from players who are in offside positions," Annesley said yesterday.

"I think everyone acknowledges that they are fantastic players to watch and the kick return can be one of the more sensational aspects of the game.

"It's not to give them an advantage, it's just to give them a fair go because the advantage was actually being taken by the defending team."

Players are embracing the interpretation, which was part of the recent NRL trials.

"I think it will give the outside backs, the fullback and winger, more time to play," veteran Canterbury halfback Brett Kimmorley said.

"They won't catch the ball and have four or five forwards sitting in front of them so I think it will open the game a lot more.

"Us having some exciting back three guys, it will certainly add a bit more space for them to play football."

"I certainly hope that they do police the rule pretty heavily."

The league has also tweaked other rule interpretations.

As regards the advantage rule, a team will be ruled to have gained advantage if they have advanced 10 metres towards their opponents' tryline.

A sent-off player will have the minutes they miss in the match taken into account for their suspension.

- AAP