NRL obstruction crisis to be discussed - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

NRL obstruction crisis to be discussed

By Todd Balym 30/04/2007 06:30:38 PM Comments (0)

NRL coaches will have the power to immediately amend the game's controversial obstruction ruling during an emergency teleconference to end the ongoing feud between clubs and referees.

Several leading NRL coaches have publicly questioned the interpretation of the obstruction rule by referees and video referees this season, prompting the NRL to convene a forum to discuss whether immediate change is necessary.

Coaches and players have called for change because of the inconsistency in awarding tries when decoy runners are involved in the play.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the laws of the game can be updated if the coaches reach a consensus regarding obstruction, but warned the NRL won't allow a free-for-all with decoy runners that could turn the game into a grid iron style attack.

"If we come to some consensus in making some minor amendments to the rule to make it a little more easily understood and a little more easily coached then we will consider that," said Annesley.

"But we are certainly not going to open the flood gates to decoy runners ... and just get a mass of decoy runners whenever there is a play near the goal line.

"It's a matter of finding a sensible midway point otherwise we end up with a game of grid iron that players are going through and blocking the defence which is not what our game is about."

A decision on change ultimately lies with the NRL and Annesley said he would like "some genuine consensus" to be swayed into making amendments to the game's laws.

Changes would be swift and can be effective as soon as round eight begins on Friday.

But Annesley warned change may not necessarily come about as there is a belief some NRL coaches support the current system.

"There's no doubt there is some mixed views and that's one of the reasons we are having a hook up so that those in favour or against can express their views and generally in these sorts of things people change their mind after they hear the views of others," he said.

The changes brought about this year came from last year's annual conference, but Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens said the interpretation had been lost in translation since that meeting.

"What's happened between there and where we're at now seems to be where we've gone off the track somewhere," he said.

"I'm not blaming referees and I don't think they should be blaming coaches (saying) this is what the coaches wanted.

"If it changes we're obviously going to be upset that games have been won and lost by it but at the end of the day we've got to come up with a solution."

Tigers hooker Robbie Farah is adamant changes are necessary to end the confusion.

"Something has got to be done about it," said Farah.

"It's getting frustrating for the players and the fans and everyone involved in the game.

"I don't care what the rule is as long as it's consistent.

"You see games when they're letting in tries when you think obstruction and other games disallowing tries that you think are certain tries.

"As long as they find that consistency I'm sure everyone would be happy."

Manly captain Matt Orford said players now feared tries being sent to the video referee because it was a lottery whether the effort would be awarded.

"Every time you go for the video referee now the first thing they look for is obstruction and it's a 50-50 ball," said Orford.

"You just don't know. You just keep your fingers crossed and see the video referee's interpretation of obstruction.

"As soon as they look at it two or three times you have a fair idea it's not going to be a try."

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