NRL all stars Vs Indigenous stars

I don't know about you, but the game of rugby league was once a simple one but every year someone has got to put in his two pence worth and develop rule changes....
I can handle the 20/40 kick, I can handle the re-start of the tackle count for a ruck infringement instead of a penalty.
I do not like the idea of any power plays, this to me sounds like it is developed for the idiot box and not the poor people out at the game scratching their heads trying to work out who has left the field whilst watching a clock more then the game....dumb dumb dumb as far as I am concerned........

Read this article below and leave your opinions please........................


The launch of the “power play" continues the innovative approach of the Harvey Norman All Stars in testing new rules.

The “power play" will allow coaches the opportunity to maximise their attacking play with captains able to nominate a 5-minute period in both halves whereby the opposition must drop two players from the field of play (refer to end of document for rules changes brief).

Another key innovation is a widening of differential penalties to ensure greater speed and continuity.

Under the experimental rules, infringements in the ruck area will be followed by an immediate restart of the tackle count at the point of the infringement with a zero tackle; as well as the 40/20 rule to include 20/40 kicks in play.

Bennett said the new rules will excite fans and players alike.

“The power play is a real chance for teams to back themselves with the ball and I am really looking forward to it.

“Certainly with Benji as the All Stars captain we are going to see people having a real go."


“We will have a real challenge on our hands this year with both sides equally determined to take the lead in the series," Bennett said.

“The public did a great job selecting a team for me this year and it will be very interesting to see what they come up with this time.

“Darren Lockyer is a significant loss to us but Benji Marshall has been a part of All Stars since its inception and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the team."

Marshall said it was an honour to be chosen by Bennett to follow Lockyer as the 2012 NRL All Stars captain.

“I feel very privileged to be replacing Darren Lockyer as captain, in particular knowing that Wayne Bennett made the decision," Marshall said.

“This game brings together some of the best players from across our game and the crowd are in for quite a match given the one-all draw. There is no question that both sides play with absolute intensity."


Rule changes for 2012 All Stars
Power play
- Each team will receive one (1) optional power play in each half of the match.
- Once a team captain nominates to the match referee that they wish to use their power play for the half at a stoppage in play (changeover, scrum etc.), the opposition team must immediately drop two (2) players from the field of play for a 5 minute period (11 players on the field of play).
- If the team who called the power play scores a try during this period, the power play will end immediately and the two players who left the field may return.
- Players returning to the field of play must do so under the supervision of the interchange official.
- The team defending the power play will make the decision which two players leave the field from their team during the power play.
- Once a power play has been called, the opposition team may not call their power play at the same time. If both teams call a power play at the same time, the team about to receive possession will be granted the power play.
- A second clock will appear on the scoreboard showing the time period for the power play.

Changes to penalties in the ruck area
- For infringements in the ruck area by the defending team (holding down, leg pull, hand on ball etc.) which does not result in the breakdown of play (i.e. drop ball), the referee will indicate the infringement followed by immediately restarting the tackle count at the point of the infringement with a zero tackle.
- There will be no kick for touch for these infringements. Play will continue immediately from the point of the infringement.
- Any foul play in the ruck area by the defending team will result in a traditional penalty.
- Any infringement by the attacking team in the ruck area will result in a traditional penalty.

20/40 kicks in play
- A team which kicks the ball from within their own 20m area and can successfully find touch within the 40m area of the defending team will receive the feed to the ensuing scrum.