NRL crackdown on play-the-balls helping defences, rather than creativity, meaning less tries

IT was a move that was supposed to turn the NRL into a faster and more spectacular attacking game. But if the trend continues, rugby league fans will get 200 less tries over the full season.

NRL rule changes have made the game more defensive. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)

IT was a move that was supposed to turn the NRL into a faster and more spectacular attacking game.

Instead the referees’ crackdown has taken fatigue out of the game, allowed defensive lines to become stronger and resulted in 40 less tries in the opening five rounds.

If the trend continues, rugby league fans will get 200 less tries over the full season.

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Referee Matt Cecchin awards a penalty to the Sharks. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

While there has been an average of eight less tries in each round of football, the number of penalty goals has doubled from 2017 figures.

Slower play-the-balls are giving sides more time to get their defence lines organised.

And the avalanche of off-side penalties has created more stoppages and kept players from getting tired at the back end of halves, even without possession.

In some games with up to 30 penalties, players are getting an extra eight to 10 minutes rest time.

Thurston can’t exploit tired forwards. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair)

One coach told me old champion Johnathan Thurston is struggling at the North Queensland Cowboys because there are no longer fatigued forwards on the field, the players he has targeted over the years.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns agrees.

“Defenders are fresh, their lines are set and you can’t break them down,” Johns said.

“The game is supposed to be about our skilful and fast players with some big hits thrown in.

“I’ve spoken to couple of players and they say they’re not getting tired on the field any more.”

Beau Scott has a word with referee Gavin Badger. (Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

While some enjoy the tighter score lines and regular arm wrestles we’ve seen in the opening five rounds, there is a concern fans are being robbed of not just tries but attractive free-flowing football.

“People go to the football or watch on TV to see tries,” Johns said.

“Parramatta and Penrith scored one try each the other day. I didn’t enjoy it.”

The Tigers have done well out of the changes. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The Wests Tigers are a good example of how the rules crackdown has changed the game.

They have scored under 14 points per match and have the second worst attack in the competition, ahead of only the winless Parramatta Eels, yet are equal third on the ladder.

They have lost only one game — an unlucky golden point defeat to the Broncos.

The Canberra Raiders have scored 49 more points than the Wests Tigers (almost 10 points superior per match) but have won only one game and sit 13th on the ladder.

There has also been an average of almost 20 penalty goals each round of the competition.

Back in 2014 there was only 5.5 penalty goals per round.

Shaun Johnson kicks the winning penalty goal against the Roosters. (Getty Images)

With the increased emphasis on sports science, players are getting also fitter every season.

It will increase calls for the interchange to be reduced from eight to six to bring fatigue back into the game.

NRL bosses say they are not overly concerned about the lack of tries and predict games will open up once teams become more used to the way referees are now controlling games.

Head of football Brian Canavan said he expected more open football as teams adapted to the stricter rule interpretations.

“We are already seeing more compliance with the rules and we would hope his will result in a drop in penalties and a strong 10 metres,” he said.

“And that should result in more open football which is what the fans want.”

However there is evidence to the contrary.

Since the penalties eased after the two Good Friday games, it has made no difference with try-scoring.

Rugby league has become even more of a defence orientated game.

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Originally published as NRL crackdown on play-the-balls helping defences, rather than creativity, meaning less tries