NRL six again rule tweak expected to benefit hookers, dummy half runners

While the NRL’s ‘Six Again’ rule has been widely praised, one type of player it was expected to help hasn’t really benefitted from it. Until now! It’s time to unleash the game’s best dummy half runners.

Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs is tackled by Karl Lawton of the Warriors during the the Round 6 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Friday, June 19, 2020. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The NRL’s “Six Again” rule has been given another tweak in an effort to speed up the game and unleash some of the sport’s most damaging attacking players.

In an effort to slow down the game’s new breakneck pace, teams have been using their markers to flood the space around and behind the ruck.

As a result, some of the game’s best dummy half runners - like Rabbitohs superstar Damien Cook - have been somewhat muzzled despite the new rules.

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Damien Cook is sure to benefit from the tweaking of the rules.

Referees can now restart the tackle count if the markers are not square or break early, with the change coming into effect this weekend.

“We have observed an increasing trend of markers either not standing square or breaking early and placing themselves in an off-side position,” said ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys.

“Rather than direct referees to blow more penalty stoppages we believe this variation will ensure free flowing rugby league continues to the benefit of our fans.”

“The introduction of the “Six Again” rule has added to the spectacle of the game and the Commission will continue to be dynamic and agile to ensure we keep the game as entertaining as possible.”

The news comes as set restarts continue to skyrocket with teams trying to reckon with the game’s brave new world.

According to Fox Sports Stats, there have been 233 set restarts in the last three rounds alone, including 76 in Round 7.

Api Koroisau is one of only two hookers to have broken the line more than twice this season

Ideally, more restarts would result in the ball being in play longer, which leads to greater fatigue in defenders and more opportunities for attacking players.

The new rules may make it easier for running hookers to take off from dummy half, with teams unable to flood the area behind the ruck without incurring a restart.

South Sydney, New South Wales and Australian hooker Cook, the most dangerous rake in the game, has just one line break for the season and only two hookers (Penrith’s Api Koroisau and North Queensland’s Reece Robson) have broken the line more than twice.