Officials won't need to implement mandatory sin-bins for punches during the Rugby League World Cup to clamp down on the illegal act, according to tournament boss Andrew Hill.
This summer's tournament is played under the more lenient international rugby league rules, meaning that unlike in the NRL players won't be automatically benched for the foul play.
A similar interpretation is followed in the English Super League, while England prop Sam Burgess is one of several players in recent years to have stayed on the field in a Test match after throwing a punch when he clocked Australia's David Klemmer last year.
But Hill played down fears there would be a flurry of punches thrown across the tournament once it kicks off when Australia hosts England in Melbourne on October 27.
"I think the match officials will take a pretty strong cause of action if that was to be an issue," chief executive Hill said.
"I'm certainly not expecting any major ill-discipline from the players ... I don't think they are going to go into the game with any different view.
"This isn't the only game that is played under international rules. So I'm sure the 130-odd NRL players participating won't change their game for the World Cup."
Australian forwards this week sided with Hill's views, insisting they wouldn't enter the tournament with a free rein on their aggression.
Punching has been banned in the NRL since former CEO David Smith introduced the mandatory sin-bin in 2013, after Paul Gallen struck Nate Myles in the head in a State of Origin match.
That rule was broadened to include slaps this year, following an outbreak in the open-handed strikes in a bid to induce foul play from opposition players.
"You don't get sent for 10 minutes but we would like to have a clean World Cup," Kangaroos forward Matt Gillett said.
"Whoever you are playing it will be pretty feisty but hopefully we sort it out in the proper manner on the field."
Meanwhile Josh McGuire admitted he'd enjoy seeing more aggression from players, but claimed he wouldn't be joining them in throwing punches.
"I am looking forward to a throw back to the older days," he said.
"But I won't be throwing any. I am one of the smaller blokes out there."
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