If you thought the NRL’s six-again call was going to slow down Cameron Smith, think again
Some are already jokingly calling it the Cam Smith Law. But don’t think for a minute the NRL’s controversial new six-again rule will slow down the NRL’s oldest player.
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It’s been jokingly dubbed the Cam Smith Law because it’s aimed at cracking down on wrestling and go-slow tactics in the ruck. But don’t think for a minute the NRL’s controversial new six-again rule will slow down the NRL’s oldest player.
In fact, Fox League expert Michael Ennis is tipping Smith will be one of the players who benefits most when the competition restarts later this month.
Meanwhile, in a bid to make changes fair on all teams, NRL head of football Graham Annesley has revealed that no team will get a chance to test out the new interpretation or train under one ref appointed by the NRL prior to the resumption.
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“We couldn’t send anyone into Queensland even if we wanted to,” Annesley told The Saturday Telegraph.
“And this was something that was discussed in the early days of the Apollo group.
“The view of the coaches on the group at the time (Trent Robinson and Wayne Bennett) was that all clubs should have equal opportunity to prepare for the resumption.
“Because there are travel restrictions and border restrictions, particularly in Queensland, there is no way we can get referees for example to the Cowboys, Broncos and the Titans.
“So we said at the time we wouldn’t supply referees for scrimmages unless in the last week leading up to the competition border restrictions have been loosened. And at this stage the Queensland border restrictions are still the same.”
So how the changes will ultimately impact the competition remains anyone’s guess.
But ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has made no secret of the fact the governing body wants to make the game faster and more exciting, by punishing the very tactics many often blame Smith and Melbourne for mastering.
However Ennis believes the six-again call will play right into the hands of creative dummy halves and instinctive running halves.
“So I instantly think Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Matt Moylan, Anthony Milford, those guys,” Ennis said.
“And without a doubt the three blokes who can brain it in this area will be Cameron Smith, Josh Hodgson and Api Koroisau. They are the three who can really make a difference.”
Perhaps even more so than a speedster like Damien Cook.
“Yes, speed is great. Momentum is great,” Ennis explained.
“But sometimes that can be a player’s biggest detriment because they make rushed decisions.
“Whereas Smith, Hodgson and Koroisau seem to have the ability to get out on the back of momentum, but at the same time slow the game down and make the right decision.
“And I think that is the key.
“Don’t get me wrong, Damien Cook will have his days where he just blasts sides on the back of momentum.
“But consistently over a long season I think those three guys with their control and decision making around the ruck will be the ones who can make the most of it.”
While the decision to revert to one ref and bring in the six-again call has divided opinion in the game, Ennis is hoping everyone can now get on board with the changes.
Though he maintains the test will be how much referees allow teams to push the boundaries in attacking zones close to the tryline.
“I think it will speed things up to some degree but at the same time I still think you will see defensive sides roll the dice and try and slow it down to control the ruck inside that 10m zone,” Ennis said.