Home Actualité internationale World News – AU – « Won’t be a game changer »: NRL coaches worry about fan-inspired field goal
Actualité internationale

World News – AU – « Won’t be a game changer »: NRL coaches worry about fan-inspired field goal

. . The NRL's most controversial rule change is evidence that power brokers are listening to fans, but coaches are wondering if the game is of any use.

. .

If fans don’t like the look of the rugby league in 2021, they can’t say they haven’t been consulted.

The Australian Rugby League Commission approved a number of changes to the rules, including reducing scrums and « full » penalties to improve the flow of the game. The biggest issue, however, is the introduction of two-point field targets for successful attempts outside the 40-meter line. The change aims to increase the chances of scoring in critical moments, especially when there is only a limited amount of time left on the clock in each half.

Some of the league’s hottest minds – including coaches Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart and star players Damien Cook and Luke Keary – were part of an innovation committee, but players’ views were also taken into account.

Male skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and South Sydney counterpart Adam Reynolds are two of the best field goalscorer – they have 41 one-point points between them – but their club coaches are not convinced that all or nothing is tactical to become famous.

In fact, Manly’s Deslyler and Souths assistant Jason Demetriou compared the long field goal option to the 20/40, which was barely used last season.

« There’s always an impact, and it’s a big kick from 40 yards – it’s a big kick, » said Hasler.

« It’s going to be an instinctive game, and if it works, it works. This field goal is a bit like the 20/40. That’s all it is. It won’t be a game changer for me and it won’t be used.  »

Latrell Mitchell started a monster field goal to win a thriller against the storm in 2019, which he kicked from 38 meters and sailed well past the black point. However, Demetriou predicts that there will be few opportunities for players to make use of the new rule.

« ‘Reyno’ can kick them from this distance, as can Latrell Mitchell, but I don’t think that will have much of an impact on many games, » said Demetriou.

« Latrell hits the ball as sweetly as anyone I’ve seen. He’s a natural left foot that makes it look effortless.

« It’s all good to do it while exercising, but it’s a different story when you are tired. This has made Adam Reynolds special over the years – he nails it consistently when he has to.  »

One rule that made some other clubs giggle was that the referee had to shout « break » before the players could get out.

« I know the one word that is supposed to shout your back once a crush is packed in the hope that the opposition will break down and a penalty will be imposed, » said a good judge.

The NRL already made major changes to the structure of the game last season by switching back to a referee and introducing the six re-rule. However, V’landys said the game was in the entertainment industry and needed further development.

« These innovations will result in less disruption, more unpredictability and more excitement for our fans, » said V’landys.

« The message from the fans and our broadcasters was clear: the game was becoming too predictable and the balance between attack and defense had gone too far in favor of defense.

« Our changes over the past year have successfully addressed some of these challenges, and the changes announced today will take the element of unpredictability and entertainment a step further. « 

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National rugby league, drop goal, field goal

World news – AU – « Won’t be a game changer »: NRL coaches are wary of fan-inspired field goals

Ref: https://www.smh.com.au

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