Quick taps and restarting the tackle count for ruck infringements will be among the experimental rules on show in the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars clash at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next Saturday, February 9.

NRL General Manager of Football Operations, Mr Nathan McGuirk, said this year’s match would feature three experimental rules aimed at enhancing the attacking nature of the All Stars contest.

“The All Stars match is designed to provide fans with an attacking spectacle and it provides a great opportunity for us to trial some experimental rules,” Mr McGuirk said.

“These changes will certainly add to the speed of the game and also reward teams for attacking kicking.”

The experimental rules are:

Ruck Penalties



- 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 by blowing his whistle and signaling the infringement. The match referee will then immediately signal the restart of the tackle count which shall occur 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 via a play the ball.

- 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.

Quick Restarts

- This will see an extension of the quick restart from the 20m, with players allowed quick penalty tap kicks/restarts (apart from ruck penalties) from the point of the offence. Captains questioning decisions will be restricted to when they are in possession and scrums.

Restarts from Kicks

- For any attacking team that kicks the ball from the outside the opponents 30m line (30m from try line) and the ball goes dead in-goal, the opponent will receive the ball via a handover (tap restart) from the point where the kick originated once the match officials are in place.

The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across Queensland.