NRL commentator Sean Ormerod has called for the relaxing of a key rule that burned Reece Walsh in the Kangaroos’ win over New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup. Walsh was superb for Australia after he was controversially picked over Roosters captain James Tedesco.
However he had a few moments he’d probably like to forget. In the 67th minute with New Zealand up 22-16, Walsh thought he’d crossed for a try to cut the deficit.
However referee Adam Gee immediately pinged him for double movement after he promoted the ball to the goal-line after being tackled. Walsh thought the tacklers had dropped off, but Dane Gagai still had hands on the Kangaroos fullback.
Because the arm carrying the ball had touched the ground short of the line, Walsh wasn’t allowed to reach out and plant it down. It resulted in a penalty for New Zealand, but Ormerod has questioned whether that punishment is too harsh in the modern game.
Reece Walsh was tackled short of the line and reached out. Image: Channel 7
Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, Ormerod questioned whether a double movement should still result in a penalty or if Walsh should have been allowed to go back and play the ball instead. It’s a similar situation to passing the ball after the referee has called held, which used to be a penalty but is now simply a re-do.
“It’s my most hated rule in rugby league,” Ormerod said. “Everything we do in today’s game is to make it faster and more appealing to the part-time watcher. We want to see tries and points.
“How in today’s footy us that still a penalty? I’m OK with it not being a try, but it can’t be a penalty. Surely the referee can go ‘no, the tackle was complete, go back and play the ball’. We’ve seen some absolute shockers in NRL land this year where players have had one fingernail on their backside, which is [apparently] tackle complete.”
NRL fans agree with rule change call
Fans tended to agree with Ormerod on social media. One person wrote: “Certainly not the worst rule in the game but this would be a good rule change.”
Another commented: “If the same action happens anywhere else on the field, nothing happens. It should be go back 10m and play the ball for the next tackle.” While a third added: “Anywhere else on the field the ref just says go back to the spot to play it. Why is it a penalty on the tryline?”