The NRL has agreed to an immediate rule change that will see corner posts no longer treated as touch-in-goal when players come into contact with them.

The new rule means players don't have to avoid the corner post when attempting to score a try compared to the previous rules which would see contact resulting in a 20-metre restart being awarded.

In recent seasons some spectacular tries have been scored in the NRL as players continued to master the skill of touching down without making contact with the corner post.

Now, a player will not be deemed out of play unless he makes contact with either the touch-line or touch-in-goal-line or the ground beyond the touch line or touch-in-goal line.

The change has been made primarily to assist video referee decisions involving slow motion and freeze frame replays to determine whether a try has been scored.

It also applies to a player attempting to run the ball out from his own in-goal if he brushes the corner post without contacting or crossing the touch line or touch-in-goal line.

NRL Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley said the existing rule had become something of an anomaly and that's why it was changed.

"Under the existing rule a corner post that was leaning inwards could have prevented a try from being awarded because the rule gave the referee or the video-referee no discretion," he said.

"Given the increasing scrutiny that every decision is now under, there was a strong view that the rule should be changed before a team is disadvantaged.

"There was overwhelming feedback from the clubs that if a change was to happen then it should take effect immediately."

Under the new interpretation, if the ball is not in possession of a player and it makes contact with the corner post (eg from a kick) the ball will be deemed to be touch-in-goal as per the existing rule.

All other rules relating to the corner post and restarts of play remain unchanged.

The ARL will consider also adopting the rule before the second State of Origin match on June 16, however the new rule won't apply in lower grade competitions.

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