Roosters coach John Strange has called for the six-again rule to be introduced to the women’s game after he found himself struggling to watch his team’s display.
A 34-10 win over the Titans was all the Roosters need to show their premiership credentials, but Strange could not overlook how his team was officiated.
John Strange entered the new season off the back of a dominant win with the NSW Blues. Nine
As per the current league rulings, the six-again call – where referees award a team a set restart for a ruck infringement – is only applicable in the men’s game.
In the NRLW, the rule has not been introduced and players are forced to adhere to the traditional penalty calls that also still exist in the men’s competition.
When a penalty is awarded, typically the game tends to slow down as players retreat 10 metres back.
In 70 minutes of footy on Saturday, 13 penalties were blown. By comparison, eight were blown in 80 minutes in the Panthers-Rabbitohs men’s game on Friday night.
To add to Strange’s frustrations, he witnessed one rival player head to the sin bin, two others placed on report and 11 simple errors made by his playing group.
“I was really disappointed watching that game,” Strange said post-match.
“Not with the way we played, it was just a really slow ruck.
“You work really hard to get one-on-ones and get quick play the balls, but then you get second efforts coming in, and what should be a quick play the ball (turns into one that takes) five seconds.
“It was a struggle to watch, so hopefully that’s not going to continue. It would be great that if they are going to keep letting it go with slow rucks that we bring in six-again, then they might be more inclined to award them.”
Strange was asked if he had some tough words with his team despite their on-field success, to which he then reiterated the biggest issue was not their display.
“I was just disappointed with how the game was officiated,” he replied.
“There were a heap of positives from our point of view, and I am happy with the grit that our girls showed when defending sets. We have things to work on – it is only round one – but it was a difficult game to watch.
“There’s been a bit of debate about whether we bring in the six-again for the girls, and I think it would help the officials to allow the game to not just turn into a lay-on with five second play the balls.
“It’s not good enough, and it’s not a good enough spectacle if that’s going to continue. Maybe that is something that the NRL can look at.
The Roosters got their season off to a winning start. Getty Images
“It will obviously bridge the gap with the boys. It is a quick game now, it is great to watch with the six-agains. It is very fast, and it doesn’t allow for that wrestle.
“Hopefully, that changes but until it does, we will keep adapting to the officials. We will just keep fighting and playing how we want to play.”
The Roosters will host the Newcastle Knights next Saturday afternoon.