The Australian Rugby League Commission has approved several changes for the 2020 NRL season, while recommending a general-play challenge and a reduction in the time trainers spend on the field.
Two tactical changes have been made, with a 20/40 rule introduced, while teams will also have an option to select the lateral scrum position, either 10 or 20 metres from touch, or in line with the black dot on the crossbar.
Rules around tackling players in midair have also been strengthened, while the outdated mutual infringement law has been updated to replay the previous play-the-ball, scrapping a scrum for the attacking team.
The archaic law was brought into the spotlight during the 2019 NRL Grand Final, where Canberra's Sia Soliola charged down a ball, but it hit a trainer and the Sydney Roosters were given a scrum feed, changing momentum.
Under the new rule, referees will replay the previous play-the-ball, instead of resetting with a scrum in favour of the attacking team.
Rules around tackling in midair have also been clarified in favour of player safety, banning it completely. Players can't be tackled while in the air - a defender will need to wait until the player reaches the ground.
But there is still room for contesting the ball, which could complicate the decision for referees.
The 20/40 rule was trialled in Queensland Cup in 2019, but used successfully just once.
The potential advantage is teams have to defend the play and could drop wingers back out of the defensive line, while adding another attacking option for teams trying to clear their own end.
Predictability in scrums has also been targeted, with teams able to nominate the lateral position of the scrum within about five seconds, before a default scrum is set 20 metres from touch.
The idea is to add a tactical element to a usually predictable outcome.
The ARLC also endorsed a 'challenge' system for teams, where they have one chance to challenge an on-field decision, which will be retained if they are correct.
The challenge would not apply to forward passes.
The NRL will work through the operational details on how the challenge would be applied and will report to the commission in February to introduce the rule in 2020.
Additionally, restrictions on trainers will reduce time on the field. Limitations will be finalised at the next meeting.
Second-tier competitions will also trial packing six players into a scrum, when only 12 players are on the field, instead of five.
