Junior rugby league: Balmain refereeing official apologises after making false claims over try rule changes

An email from a rogue Balmain refereeing official sent the NRL into meltdown on Tuesday amid controversial suggestions that kids would be awarded tries after a knock on.

An under 8’s rugby league player drops the ball over the line as he attempts to score a try. Picture: Cameron Bates

An email from a rogue Balmain refereeing official containing erroneous information sent the NRL into meltdown on Tuesday amid a controversial suggestion that kids would be awarded tries after a knock on.

This masthead understands the official from the Balmain junior rugby league misheard information told to him before writing the email, which was forwarded to clubs in Sydney.

The email also went through the Ryde-based Holy Cross Rhinos.

NRL management became aware of the email via this masthead before immediately seeking a clarification from the official.

The perpetrator somehow misunderstood information about knock-ons being overlooked when a try had been scored and forwarded the false rumour, believing it to be true.

NRL management quickly denied the suggestion.

An under 8’s rugby league player drops the ball over the line as he attempts to score a try. Picture: Cameron Bates

The initial email caused drama among clubs by stating that the NRL wanted to award tries even if a player playing in the under 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s and 10s fumbled the ball in the act of scoring.

It also claimed that NRL stated the rule was implemented to end a “win-at-all-costs” attitude in age groups that are “now non-competitive” and that all referees had instructed to employ the rule changes.

The official’s email also stated that if a player drops the ball then “the referee should allow the try as if the knock on didn’t occur.”

NRL officials tracked down the source of the email midafternoon on Tuesday and secured an apology.

It’s highly unlikely the accidental transgressor will be sanctioned and the NRL was accepting of his clarification.

By 4.30pm on Tuesday, the official had realised his error and sent out another email to clubs explaining the issue.

It read: “Further clarification has been provided by the NSWRL on the earlier issue raised, in particular a knock-on in the act of scoring a try.

“It has been confirmed that regardless of the age group, with the exception of under 6s a knock-on is to be ruled upon according to the relevant laws of the game.

“Despite the NRL pathways document outlining how the changes to the u9s and u10s age groups becoming non-competitive from 2024, and the enjoyment of the players being paramount, there has been NO extension of the chance rule to the older age groups.

“Our earlier advice was erroneous and we apologise for this confusion.

“If you could please pass on this information to the clubs in your area and apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

“Referees as always should exercise their discretion, where possible. Again, our apologies for any confusion caused by our earlier email.”

The NRL continues to drive change to attract kids to rugby league.

On its website, under primary objectives, it reads: “By achieving the three primary objectives of Attract and Retain Participation, Foster Personal Development, and Transition and Nurture Performance, the game will deliver an environment that affords all Australians the opportunity to play rugby league regardless of their age, skill or aspiration.”

Originally published as Junior rugby league: Balmain refereeing official apologises after making false claims over try rule changes