THE “tunnel ball” farce which has sent rugby league purists into a spin is over with the NRL to crack down on illegal play-the-balls.

Clubs have been issued a warning for players to use their foot to play-the-ball or risk being penalised while in attack.

Former top-level referee Shayne Hayne was at Gold Coast Titans training on Tuesday to issue the edict alongside emerging referee Michael Gordon.

Multiple players were penalised in the opposed practice session for rolling the ball through their legs without making an attempt to put their foot on it.

The crackdown means offenders like Andrew Fifita will have the spotlight on them while they have the ball.

Titans prop Luke Douglas said the players had been warned to expect a tough stance on the ruck during pre-season trial matches.

Gold Coast Titans training session. Picture by Scott Fletcher Source: News Corp Australia

“There’s a couple of interpretations they’re changing this year,” he said.

“They’re going to crack down on it in the trials. You have to play it with your foot.

“You see a lot of guys just roll it between their legs and it becomes a game of touch.

“You want to get the history back into the game.”

The NRL is striving to clean up the ruck and improve the quality of the contest.

Interchanges have been reduced from 10 to eight this season while a shot clock will be implemented during stoppages.