Attending RFL meeting, rule changes and why scrapping scrums is fine
EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING AS WE GET READY TO RETURN TO TRAINING AHEAD OF SUPER LEAGUE SEASON RESTART
These are exciting days for everyone in the Super League as the restart looms large on the horizon. After months of uncertainty, we’re now thinking about our return and I’m sure by the end of this week, us Hull FC players will have been given all the information we need regarding how training will look.
We’ll be tested for the first time next week before heading into training where I think it will be a case of working in groups of six to get stuff done on the field and weights sessions in a heavily sanitised gym before slowly coming together when we need to.
In the meantime, though, a lot of our squad have been away this week to recharge their batteries.
Mentally more than anything, training on your own can be draining so they’ve taken this opportunity to refocus their minds ahead of what promises to be an intense few months.
The season has probably been made more intense by the rule changes made this week, with scrums being removed from the game and the ‘six again’ rule coming in, following its introduction Down Under.
I don’t have an issue with the removal of scrums and if it reduces the risk of catching coronavirus by 0.01 per cent, I think it makes sense to get rid of them.
Unlike rugby union, they’re not a crucial part of our game and often they just act as a chance to have a breather, so taking them out of the game won’t have a noticeable impact.
I sat in on one of the big meetings with the RFL alongside a few other players and head of the union, Garreth Carvell and one of the doctors explained the science behind the decision.
If someone is carrying the virus in a scrum lasting 20 or 30 seconds, the chances of it spreading are so much greater, it would mean entire packs having to step out of the game and isolating for two weeks which would be detrimental.
I think when it comes to the ‘six again’ rule, we need to be smart about it.
As I mentioned in this column a few weeks ago, I have player welfare concerns, particularly if players are being asked to play three matches in a week. I just hope it will be monitored and if head knocks and other injuries are occurring, as we’ve seen in the NRL lately, they need to be open to amending the rule.
It will be the middles that feel the impact of the increased speed of the game the most and people will have to adapt because otherwise more than a few big men will be found out.
It remains to be seen whether the ‘six again’ rule is a permanent addition, but I know it would be a lot more popular with players when there is only one game a week to play. It could also bring about changes in physiques, tactics and recruitment should clubs look to embrace it.
I’m looking forward to seeing our game return and I’m keen to see what difference the changes make because we’ve got the RFL’S word player welfare is paramount and that’s all us players needed to hear.