Rugby League 2021

In an effort to continue the speeding up of the game that this year's new rules achieved, the NRL has added 8 new rules...

- the introduction of a two-point field goal for kicks taken from more than 40 metres out;
- six-again to be called for 10-metre infringements;
- penalties for teams if they leave a scrum before a referee calls "break";
- a play-the-ball restart if the ball or player with the ball goes over the sideline;
- The Bunker will now review replays after an on-field referee awards a try but a conversion attempt will not be allowed until it gets the green light;
- injured players will be interchanged if a trainer ask for play to be stopped;
- when a captain's challenge is inconclusive a team will not be docked for an unsuccessful attempt;
- and a handover will be ordered when a player does not make a genuine attempt to play the ball correctly with their foot.

Seems fine to me. I'm betting the 2 point field goal will be as common as the 40-20 touch finder i.e. not very.

I also like the injured player rule. It should stop a rort that had crept into the game. The Bunker try review rule is also a step forward.

The field goal should be banned completely. Absolute blight on the game.

Seems they want to slow the game up. Worried about the injury toll that was 2020?

skully wrote:In an effort to continue the speeding up of the game that this year's new rules achieved, the NRL has added 8 new rules...

- the introduction of a two-point field goal for kicks taken from more than 40 metres out;
- six-again to be called for 10-metre infringements;
- penalties for teams if they leave a scrum before a referee calls "break";
- a play-the-ball restart if the ball or player with the ball goes over the sideline;
- The Bunker will now review replays after an on-field referee awards a try but a conversion attempt will not be allowed until it gets the green light;
- injured players will be interchanged if a trainer ask for play to be stopped;
- when a captain's challenge is inconclusive a team will not be docked for an unsuccessful attempt;
- and a handover will be ordered when a player does not make a genuine attempt to play the ball correctly with their foot.

Seems fine to me. I'm betting the 2 point field goal will be as common as the 40-20 touch finder i.e. not very.

I also like the injured player rule. It should stop a rort that had crept into the game. The Bunker try review rule is also a step forward.

This one is bad:

- a play-the-ball restart if the ball or player with the ball goes over the sideline;

It will mean the end of the big bopper in the game because it will take away one of the few ways for teams to catch their breath.

Sweet Baby Jesus!!!  

St George are apparently* in negotiations to buy Israel Folau. Are you farkin kidding me. Why would any club want that walking PR disaster?

And in other news to add to this debacle, Captain Cam McInnes is defected to the Sharks from the end of this season.

It's almost enough to give up supporting the Red V.

WTAF is going on at Kogarah?

Indeed.

Sounds like the new CEO and the new Coach have NFI.

Cam Smith figured out what he's doing yet? or does he need to give the magic 8 ball another shake?

Yeah, he's acting like King Shit with his delayed decision.

Nath wrote:Cam Smith figured out what he's doing yet?  or does he need to give the magic 8 ball another shake?

Probably waiting on the delivery of another Boat.

skully wrote:Sweet Baby Jesus!!!  

St George are apparently* in negotiations to buy Israel Folau. Are you farkin kidding me. Why would any club want that walking PR disaster?

And in other news to add to this debacle, Captain Cam McInnes is defected to the Sharks from the end of this season.

It's almost enough to give up supporting the Red V.

Maybe Izzy can baptise Jake de Belin in the waters of Botany Bay.

Seems the Drags have swallowed Folau guarantees he won't spout off. Maybe they should insist he participates inn the Mardis Gras.

Aye h, ferkin unbelievable.

they're not doing the Folau deal due to the backlash

Nath wrote:they're not doing the Folau deal due to the backlash

That is great news.

Except it confirms again what a pack of amateurs are running the Dragons.

Indeed. I can't believe they read the room as poorly as Eddie did with the Pies racism report.

The brain's trust at the club continues to leave fans cold.

Idiotic decisions:

- Extending Mary's contract ridiculously long and early
- buying Ben Hunt
- buying Corey Norman
- letting Tyson Frizell get away
- not having de Belin's dick on a leash
- constantly farking with Matt Dufty
- letting Cam McInnes get away
- even considering Folau as a Drags player
- etc etc etc

Will signing Anthony Griffin be added to this list?

On other things St George, Andrew McCullough has signed onto a 3 year deal starting immediately, which is a good thing given Cam McInnes is out for his final season at the Drags having done an ACL at training.

Meanwhile, does anyone know WTF is going on with Cameron Smith at the Storm??

skully wrote:On other things St George, Andrew McCullough has signed onto a 3 year deal starting immediately, which is a good thing given Cam McInnes is out for his final season at the Drags having done an ACL at training.

Meanwhile, does anyone know WTF is going on with Cameron Smith at the Storm??

Had a chat to Cooper Cronk the other day (he lives near me and was out walking his newborn). We chatted about some stuff but all I could think of was to ask him that question. Wasn't brave enough.

He clearly didn't have any inside guff on Cam Smith.

skully wrote:He clearly didn't have any inside guff on Cam Smith.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/cronk-uncertain-on-smith-s-future-as-meninga-keeps-door-open-at-titans-20210218-p573ru.html

Jesus, it's only 3 weeks until the season starts and still nothing from him???

Shirley that means he's retired. He's relocated to the Gold Coast so that'd be my best guess. Or one more season with the Titans??

Bellyache must know what's going on. No way he'd put up with not knowing what his key "player" is up to.

Looks like the odds on Smith returning for the Storm have lengthened dramatically, as well as their odds of winning the comp in 2021.

The Melbourne Storm have announced Dale Finucane and Jesse Bromwich as co-captains for the 2021 season.

Meanwhile, Smith said when asked about his future at a business lunch today "I don’t know... I still have a big decision to make, but if I do play on the Broncos are ready to ‘send a limousine’ to bring me to Red Hill".

That's just what the comp needs, Smith at the Nags. Ugh.

skully wrote:Yeah, he's acting like King Shit with his delayed decision.

Hubris Cam, hubris.

Various rags now saying the only hope for the Nags (& Kevvie) to be competitive in 2021 is to get Cam Smith.

I reckon it's a done deal.