Paul Gallen has labelled the NRL’s controversial kick-off rule change as “ridiculous” as fans prepare to see the first trial of it this weekend.
Thursday night’s clash between Brisbane and Melbourne will have the team that concedes a try given the option to restart by either kicking off or receiving the football. Rugby league rules currently have the team that concedes the try kicking the ball off, meaning the scoring team almost always gets the ball back.
Paul Gallen reacts to the rule change. Nine
The NRL wanted to introduce that rule at the start of this season, but the backlash of clubs quashed the idea.
Wayne Bennett was the biggest fan of the rule in pre-season as the NRL looked for ways to combat blowout scorelines.
“If you like the old rule, and you don’t like the new rule, stick with the old rule … if you listen to some of these guys, we’d still be playing with unlimited tackles, and players would still be wearing black boots with white laces,” he previously told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Now the rule has been implemented for the final two rounds in NRL and NRLW matches that have no finals implications.
On Nine’s 100% Footy, Gallen immediately shook his head when asked about the change.
“Honestly, this is ridiculous. We don’t need all these rule changes, the game’s been so good for such a long time, I don’t get this one,” he said.
Phil Gould explained the rule isn’t new, having been trialled during the Super League era when English clubs were being beaten comprehensively.
“It made it worse, it absolutely made it worse,” he said bluntly.
“If you win the toss in a big game, what’s the first thing you say? We’ll kick off. Why? Because it’s easier to get down the other end. Now you’re going to make it harder for the other team to get down the end.”
Roosters fullback James Tedesco also sat on the panel and explained the rule was one that players didn’t want to happen during pre-season.
“It’s going to be interesting to see it in play and see how it turns out, I think I’m with Gal, I’m not a fan of it,” he said.