Through three rounds of the NRL season, set restarts have surged 67 percent compared to last year, with a restart occurring every 27 play-the-balls over the past fortnight. The average margin of victory has ballooned to 18 points, raising concerns about the sport's direction.
Players and coaches alike have voiced confusion over the rule. Melbourne Storm's Cameron Munster admitted he is often unsure why restarts are awarded, while Warriors coach Andrew Webster echoed similar sentiments before his team's win over the Knights. The rapid pace of the game leaves little time for anyone to understand what is being penalised, with most infringements falling under the broad category of 'ruck infringement.'
As fatigue builds in the offending team, technique and discipline deteriorate, leading to more restarts and a vicious cycle that can quickly spiral out of control. Fans are left in the dark, as set restarts are not listed among official NRL statistics, making it impossible to track which teams or players commit the most.
The current trend echoes the 2021 season, when set restarts were applied across the entire field, leading to record scoring and an average margin of 18.3 points—the highest since 1935. The NRL eventually rolled back the rule in 2022 after admitting defeat.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten revealed that referees are instructed to blow more restarts early in games to establish authority, a tactic that has been borne out in the numbers. However, the breakneck pace often subsides after half-time, as restarts dry up by design.
