Phil Gould says outrageous seven-tackle rule must be abolished - but there's a simple solution

Penrith guru Phil Gould has unloaded on the 'stupid' seven-tackle rule introduced by the NRL more than four years ago.

The rule states that when a kick runs dead in goal, the defending team receives an additional tackle in their following set.

The rule was introduced in an attempt to stop teams deliberately kicking dead from midfield to reduce the attacking threat of the game's most devastating fullbacks.

Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater was a prime target for the tactic with kickers opting to kick the ball dead rather than defend the potent No.1 in broken play.

The rule has divided opinion since its introduction, however the majority of the rugby league public welcomed the change with open arms.

Speaking on Channel 9's 100% Footy, Gould said the seven-tackle rule "should just be abolished for all time".

"Whoever came up with that should be sacked, put out in a public place and flogged," Gould said.

"It's just the most ridiculous rule that's ever been invented in rugby league."

Gould's outrage stemmed from a debate surrounding the inability for NRL teams to score tries on the opposition line.

To explain the point, kickers have been less inclined since the rule's introduction to roll the ball in behind the defensive line at the risk of conceding a seven-tackle set.

This allows defending fullbacks the opportunity to inject themselves in the defensive line more prominently (think Darius Boyd) due to the reduced risk of having to cover a potential kick.

In turn, teams are scoring less frequently as the attacking option isn't used as often.

"You know what they did? They changed the rule because some boofhead coach one night said we don't want that fullback to catch the ball so deliberately kept kicking it dead," Gould said.

"It happened two weeks in a row so they said 'we've got to change the rule'.

"So now every time there was a 20-metre tap it had to be a seven-tackle set, whether you miss a field goal, whether you drop the ball over the line, or a kick goes one inch too far.

"How ridiculous that we change the whole complex of the game simply because some boofhead decided he didn't want their fullback to catch the ball."

Gould is on the money with his belief, however he neglected a simple solution that would fix the issue without abolishing the rule altogether.

The intention of the rule's introduction was appropriate, but it was implemented poorly.

There should be an alteration to the rule that would still deter kickers from intentionally sending the ball dead in goal, but doesn't punish them when rolling it in from close range.

It's an easy fix: restrict the rule to 40m out from the try line.

If the kicker launches from beyond the 40m line and the ball goes dead, the opposition receive a seven-tackle set.

If the kicker is positioned within 40m of the try line and sends the ball dead in goal, the opposition team receive a six-tackle set.

Teams wouldn't be punished for an attacking kick, but it would stop negative play of seasons' past - and most importantly it'd calm Gus down.

-Daily Telegraph