NRL: New rule change set to bring more thrills to Nines

The new Nines 'free play advantage' rule will give the likes of Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson greater freedom to play off the cuff. Photo/Getty.

A new free play advantage rule will further benefit attacking teams and allow them free license to throw the ball around at the NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park next February.

In the only major rule change for the Waitangi weekend (February 6 and 7) short-form knock-out tournament, teams that gain possession from an opposition error will be able to attack without risk of losing the ball should they commit an error or lose possession after the normal advantage period has expired.

The rule, which comes into effect following a knock on, forward pass or accidental offside where the non-offending team gains possession, will enable teams to throw caution to the wind on turnover plays.

Former Queensland State of Origin winger and dual-code Australian international Wendell Sailor believes the rule will encourage teams to come up with a range of set moves or play off the cuff without fear of turning the ball over.

Former dual Australian international Wendell Sailor says the new 'free play advantage' rule will enable teams to throw caution to the wind on turnover plays.

"As a bloke who was an attacking player and an outside back I'd love this rule," Sailor said.

"Usually, when you knock a ball on you go one pass and if you make a mistake sometimes you don't take that advantage."

The rule also means teams can kick the ball on a turnover play safe in the knowledge they will get it back if the team that committed the error recovers it, and they will also get possession back following a tap down or strip.

Sailor says it will give crafty playmakers the option to chip ahead or put a cross-field kick in, while speedsters such as Storm fullback Billy Slater can be on hand to provide the finish.

"Sometimes when you have the football you might try and play it safe, but here you can go with the double cut-out pass or try a wrap-around" he said.

"So someone like Billy Slater or those guys that are quick thinkers - look at the Warriors - it's perfect for them.

"If they've got Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Issac Luke and Shaun Johnson out there, they'll have so many plays around those guys.

"If you've got Johnson setting up something together with Tuivasa-Sheck, sometimes the defence will be so worried about them and maybe they can use themselves as the decoy and go to Konrad Hurrell on an inside line running against the grain. That's what you want to express."

Change to NRL Auckland Nines Laws "FREE PLAY" - ADVANTAGE

1. The Referee should look to play advantage wherever possible.

a. Following a knock on, forward pass, or accidental offside and where the non-offending team gains possession, the Referee will immediately call and signal "zero tackle" to indicate a "free play" and allow play to continue until the ball is correctly brought into play (or points are scored) at the next play-the-ball, providing the team attempting to take advantage is still in possession.

b. The advantage shall be deemed as complete when (a) the ball is correctly brought back into play i.e., play-the-ball on "zero tackle";
(b) points have been scored (by scoring of a try or kicking a field goal), or (c) the team in possession is penalised for foul play.

c. For the purpose of this Law, the opposing team playing at the ball during the "free play" will not constitute possession, and the advantage should be allowed to continue.

d. If the non-offending team is still in possession at the next play-the-ball then the Referee will call and signal that tackle as "zero tackle". If the team attempting to take advantage loses possession before the next play-the-ball then the Referee will blow his/her whistle and order a play-the-ball to the (original) non-offending team at the point of the original infringement.