Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell would welcome introduction of six again rule in Super League

The new law was used for the first time in the NRL last weekend, as the Australian competition made its return behind closed doors after being suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.

The rule was introduced in an attempt to prevent players from slowing down the play-the-ball, with the referee resetting the tackle count instead of awarding a penalty if there is an infringement at the ruck.

The introduction of the law in Super League is set to be discussed at a Rugby Football League (RFL) Laws Committee meeting next week and Powell feels it has improved the intensity and speed of matches.

“I would potentially approve of it,” said Powell. “I think the new rule has actually worked. I wasn’t sure about it; it has been interesting. It has created a real speed to the game. There is not as much kicking for touch or kicking for penalties.

“I quite like that, there are some interesting debates around it but the games themselves have been awesome.

“It is great to see rugby league being played again.”

Powell admits that some teams might prefer to kick for two points if opponents are penalised for a ruck infringement rather than take a fresh set of six tackles.

Match tempo increased significantly in last week’s NRL games, with defenders backing off the play the ball quicker to avoid being penalised.

“I was thinking previously, before I had seen it and I wasn’t sure, but I quite like the look of it,” added Powell.

“There are some obvious questions there, like what if you do want the penalty to take the two points and the game is drawn.

“There are some interesting bits to debate around it but, in terms of the intensity, it has made a difference.”

Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester will be present at the virtual meeting next week as the representative of coaches.

Any changes to the rules proposed by the Laws Committee must be ratified by the RFL board.