The NRL has warned teams they are ready to crack down on the ruck after sending a breach notice to all the coaches after round one. Fans of the game were left flabbergasted at the number of set restarts handed out in round one of the 2026 season after a rule tweak saw the zone for six-agains extended.
Referees now penalise six-agains anywhere between the 20m lines of each half. Last year, the zone was between the 40m lines. The extended zone resulted in a massive increase of set restarts due to being offside or for ruck infringements.
The NRL has warned teams they are ready to crack down on the ruck after sending a breach notice to all the coaches ahead of round two. (Images: Getty Images)
Last year, there was an average of 5.87 set restarts per game in round one. There was a 35 per cent increase of six-agains in 2026 with an average of 8.14. This could have also compounded the number of blowouts across the round with fatigue kicking-in for teams copping set restarts. Two teams conceded 50 points or more with the average winning margin a little more than 20 points.
That is the highest average winning margin since 2021. This prompted fans to become outraged at the rule changes. Six-agains have often frustrated fans with many unaware to why they are being handed out by the referees. So the same fans wouldn’t have been thrilled to see the number increase to start the season.
NRL doubles down on six-again rule
But the NRL has doubled down. Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler has reported all coaches received a note telling them referees will be looking at a number of areas this weekend. And they are demanding for more around the ruck.
“The referees have reviewed several slow rucks in R1 that, upon reflection, should have been a penalty or set restart depending on field position. You can expect a high focus in this area,” the warning read.
Another area on the ruck claimed there were examples of players not clearing the play-the-ball and a set restart should have been awarded. The breach notice has already left fans stunned with some hoping the referees would rein in the officiating in round two.
Referees could be set to crackdown on the ruck in round two.
(Phil Walter via Getty Images)
Another area the notice clarified was around contesting aerial duels. The NRL changed the rule ahead of the season to make sure players jump up with two hands when the ball is in the air if they want to compete. There were two incidents on the weekend during round one of the NRL, which left fans confused over the new interpretation of the aerial contest. But the NRL have moved to clarify the rule.
“A player must make a genuine attempt to catch or legally bat back the ball,” it read. The note continued: “If a player does not genuinely contest the ball, but instead jumps in the air to bat the ball back with one hand, and in doing so interferes with an opponent’s chance to catch the ball, the referee or bunker may rule obstruction and award a penalty.”
Laurie Daley questions six-again rule
The increase in six-agains certainly had an impact on round one with many players working their way back to full fitness after the pre-season. Canberra legend and NSW coach Laurie Daley felt you could see how teams struggled when conceding multiple six-agains.
“I think we will see that in the next few weeks, while the referees adjust to six-agains and the players adjust to six-agains,” he said on The Big Sports Breakfast. “I think this will happen until we all get a greater understanding of how it is going to be adopted and the players fit in to what the referees are doing and the referees find their way with it a little bit as well. I can see this continuing at least for the first month until everyone finds the flow of the game.”