The NRL will get another look at life without the zero-tackle rule on 20-metre taps after scrapping it for next month's Auckland Nines.

The rule appears likely to stay for the 2017 NRL season, however it won't feature in the February 4-5 tournament when an error is committed in the attacking in-goals or a ball is kicked out or marked by a defender.

While the rule has been a part of the NRL since 2014 in a bid to stop the negative play of kicking the ball dead, it presented an advantage in the Nines with four less defenders and a tackle count that ordinarily stops at five.

It should also prompt more attacking play closer to the try-line, with teams now more likely to attempt a try through kicking in the air and along the ground.