Is Rugby League The Rugby League I used to know?

Well is Rugby League the same as how we used to watch it, say 50 - 60 years ago?

Definitely not. The rules have changed but the crowds are still coming in. What happened to the old, 'Legs across the middle of the scrum?'

Was there stealing the ball one on one? Not, at all. Were 2 teams supposed to be 5 metres away from the 'Play the ball?' Yes.

Did the halfback get penalised for feeding the ball not straight into the scrum? Yes, he did get penalised.

Did the captains of each team challenge rulings? No, but they had a bit to say and if it offended the referee, they were penalised.

Was a team penalised if the scrum was broken? Yes, they were.

Were there unlimited tackles before we had limited tackles? Yes, I believe they started with 8 tackles and then reduced to six.

Did the referee have a third referee, to assist with decisions back then? No, just the linesmen.

So, why have the rules changed so much in rugby league.? The answer is simple, to make the game go faster but with undecided decisions left over to the 'Video Referee' called the Bunker. The good thing about that is the verdict of decisions is made straight away and the game goes on. The negative is, that it can become like NFL where it could take a longer time for the game to end but the results would be a lot fairer. 

Now the 40-minute-per-half game could end up being a 3-hour game with all the stoppage times being added on: for checking and rechecking decisions, injured players, and the brawls on the field. Before my time was unlimited tackles and I believe the limited tackle came in the period when St George Rugby Leagues Club was winning games.

Now with the 6 tackles again rule (and 1/2 the time I don't know why it is 6 tackles again), the game is pretty much coming back to unlimited tackles. Captain's appeal is interesting another court of appeal on the field. The referees' decisions used to be final and they would be living with any decision being made.

AFL umpires are very good with 'Replay of videos' especially if the goal is not 6 points and was a behind worth 1 point or even none. The penalty for a serious infringement is 50 metres, which includes backchat. I still feel a small infringement should be the old 15 metres penalty and then if it is a repeated offence then add another 50 metres. My dad used to call AFL - Aerial Ping Pong which would stand for APP!

Now scrums in ARL, remember the old indirect feed, legs across the scrum and the lock leaving the scrum early. In today's game, they can't be penalised. Scrums aren't scrums what they used to be.  You can throw the ball to the second row now - how does that give the opposing team a chance at getting the ball?

You see back rowers in scrums and a forward in the backline. In 10 years time, we might see a three-man scrum or even after a knock-on - the other team plays the ball.

There's one ball sport that hardly has changes to its rules as it is a simple sport to understand and play and that is 'Soccer' or otherwise known as 'Football'! Amazing hey!