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New 'free play' rule for Auckland Nines

The NRL have introduced a "free play" rule for next year's Auckland Nines designed to encourage enterprising and risky play.

The NRL have introduced a "free play" rule for next year's Auckland Nines that it hopes will encourage enterprising play.

The rule will allow teams who have gained the ball from a turnover to attempt a high-risk play without fear of losing possession.

Under the rule, after a team gains possession from a knock on, forward pass or accidental offside, they will be given a free play.

That means that if the ball is dropped or lost on the next play, the attacking team will be allowed to play the ball at the point of the original infringement.

The attacking team will also be able to kick the ball but will get possession back if the opposition recovers it.

"This rule change will encourage teams gaining possession from a mistake to take a risk because they know they will still retain the ball even if they make a mistake," NRL general manager of football Nathan McGuirk said.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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