The NRL has cracked down on ‘blue shirt trainers’ loitering on the field

The NRL has ordered every team’s Alfie Langer — the loitering trainers — off the field in the latest crackdown ahead of the season.

NRL FANS 1, coaches nil.

In an unprecedented and contentious victory for supporters on the eve of the 2017 premiership, the NRL has launched a crackdown on the amount of time ‘blue-shirt’ trainers are allowed to loiter on the field.

Much to the confusion and ire of several leading NRL coaches contacted by The Daily Telegraph, the new rule states that all blue-shirt trainers must now leave the field of play immediately after the completion of the fourth tackle.

For years, the sight of trainers marshalling their respective forwards up field or directing their halfback on the final tackle has angered supporters.

But under the new rule change, fans can no longer accuse water bottle-carrying trainers, including the most experienced and crafty in the game, former Brisbane Broncos champion Allan Langer and legendary trainer Ronny Palmer, of directing their respective sides at the highest point of an attacking set.

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The NRL will restrict the amount of time blue shirt trainers can be on the field. Pic Darren England.

The decision, which was sent via email to all 16 clubs last Friday, has angered some coaches, who are not only miffed that the new rule has been introduced just days out from round one kick-off, but why the NRL hierarchy consider the new measures a priority.

“If this is the biggest blight on the game, then perhaps I’m in the wrong job,’’ one coach, who has won more than one premiership, said.

Another senior coach said: “How are we ever going to police and ensure our blue shirt is off the field in between the fourth and fifth tackle?

“What if our player gets tackled on the fourth and then the very next play, our dummy-half is immediately tackled by the opposition marker?

“Our ‘blue shirt’ is fit, but he’s not Usain Bolt.’’

One interstate coach said: “What the fans really need to know is this.

“With this new rule, it means that almost every coach in the NRL will spend the following week responding to emails from the NRL on why our blue shirt didn’t get off the field in time, instead of doing what we’re supposed to be doing, which is coaching.

The NRL will crack down on ‘blue shirt trainers’ on the field.

“On the scale of introducing a new rule to help the game, this is a zero.’’

The NRL said the crucial role of ‘blue-shirt’ trainers was taken into account before the new rule was implemented.

“The change is designed to be more prescriptive in terms of when a blue-shirt trainer can and cannot be on the field of play,” an NRL spokesman said.

“The role of the on-field trainers is something we receive regular feedback on from supporters.

“We understand that blue-shirt trainers have an important role in the game but that role needs to be limited to prescribed periods of play.

“We believe this change will enable us to find a better balance between the desire of our supporters to see 26 players on the field without distractions and the needs of a club’s coaching staff.”

The new ‘blue shirt’ rule will be in place for the first time when Cronulla host Brisbane at Southern Cross Group Stadium, on Thursday night.