Controversial NRL Practice Set to Be Eradicated with New Mandate Ahead of 2025 Season

The NRL has announced that there will be “no rule changes” for the 2025 season, but don’t be misled by the phrasing—one of the game’s most contentious aspects is set to change significantly this year.

The obstruction rule has been a major point of contention among NRL supporters, with various attempts to clarify its application revealing a persistent grey area over the past ten years.

This season, fans will witness yet another alteration, as officials are instructed to put an end to players leveraging contact with decoy runners to not only prevent tries but also to earn penalties that may help bail their teams out of precarious situations.

“We have provided clarity on key principles related to the refereeing of obstruction and the factors match officials must consider when applying these principles,” said Graham Annesley, the NRL’s head of football, in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.

Annesley explained that the revamped guidelines aim to strike a better balance between appreciating the strategic use of lead-runners to confuse the defence while ensuring that defensive teams have a fair chance to adapt, all while reducing the incentive for players to ‘play for’ penalties.

According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, the 17 clubs were further informed that: “A try will be awarded if, in the opinion of match officials, any contact between a lead runner and a defender would not have prevented the try from being scored.”

If the defender initiates contact and is seen as attempting to create a penalty situation, it’s likely that the attacking team will receive the benefit of the doubt.

Numerous obstruction calls have led to tries being disallowed in recent seasons, frustrating players, coaches, commentators, and fans alike.

One notable instance occurred during last year’s preliminary final between the Panthers and the Sharks, where Ivan Cleary described the decision to disallow a Penrith try as “terrible.” He remarked that officials had “no understanding” of the play that led to what he viewed as a poor defensive read by Cronulla.

In 2025, that same play would likely be awarded a try.

While the changes to obstruction rulings will grab the most attention, the NRL has also indicated a focus on play-the-ball procedures and adherence to the 10-metre offside rule.

“There are areas of the game where standards have declined, and others where additional clarity was needed regarding officiating,” Annesley noted.

“Last season, we witnessed too many instances of players not making a genuine effort to execute the play-the-ball, so our match officials will keep a close watch on that, and we’ve made adjustments to how referees manage the 10-metre rule for greater consistency in when defenders may advance.”