Urgency at heart of new RL reforms

RUGBY LEAGUE: Law changes being introduced this year will make Betfred Super League faster and more dramatic, competition organisers claim.

From this season if scores are level after normal time two extra periods of five minutes will be played with the next team to score winning the game.

If neither team scores the points will be shared.

A shot clock is being installed at all 12 top-flight grounds and teams will have 35 seconds to prepare for scrums or 30 at drop outs. At scrums the team not binding or packing properly in time will be penalised and if neither is ready the penalty will go to the team with the feed.

Interchanges have been reduced from 10 to eight and the free-play rule is scrapped. Clubs have supported the introduction of a second referee, but that has been deferred, with trials to take place this year.

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone said: “The changes to our rules and laws are there to highlight what’s special about Super League.

“Our competition will get faster, more intense and more dramatic. There’s a growing frustration across sport with time-wasting, gamesmanship and a lack of transparency and integrity in time-keeping.”

The shot clock will be used at “selected” pre-season matches, likely to include Kallum Watkins’s testimonial between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers on Sunday, January 20.

Championship and League One clubs have rejected golden point for their competitions, but the number of interchanges will be reduced in line with Super League. The same time limits on scrums and drop-outs will apply in the Championship, but will be monitored by timekeepers and shot clocks will not be installed.

The restrictions will not apply in League One, where timekeepers are not used.