Mar 1st, 2020

Mar 1st, 2020

The new scrum rule, whereby the attacking team nominates on which part of the field the scrum is packed, hasn't even been formally introduced into the NRL - and some cunning coaches have already worked out how to cheat it.

When on defence, coaches fear scrums in the middle of the field, whereby the team with the ball can attack either side of the ruck.

So they have decided to break early from the scrums, thereby conceding a differential penalty if the ref blows his whistle, allowing the defence to regroup.

Coaches have identified a glitch in the new scrum rule. (Getty)

If the ref doesn't blow the penalty, the defence gets the jump on the attack by bolting early from the scrum.

Either way, they negate the spirit of the new rule, which gives the attacking team more options from the scrum.

It's a classic sign of what is wrong with rugby league - a change is made to brighten up the game for the fans… and smart coaches are only thinking about how to kill it.