NRL's Six-Again Rule Changes Receive Support from Canberra Raiders Hooker Tom Starling
Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling has publicly endorsed the NRL's contentious six-again rule adjustments, asserting that the responsibility to adapt lies squarely with the players rather than the referees. The league introduced these new restart regulations at the start of the current season with the primary objective of accelerating match pace, but the reception has been divided across the competition.
Mixed Reactions from Teams and Coaches
Not all feedback has been positive, with notable criticism emerging from other quarters of the NRL. Cowboys captain Tom Dearden has labeled the rule changes as frustrating, while his coach Todd Payten expressed concerns that they are introducing excessive fatigue into gameplay. The modifications specifically replace 10-metre infringement penalties with six-again rulings and extend this call beyond the 20-metre line, superseding the previous 40-metre rule.
Statistical data highlights a significant surge in set restarts under the new system. Last season averaged 5.9 six-agains per game, but this figure has escalated dramatically to 9.8 per match in the initial rounds of the 2026 season, underscoring the rule's impact on game dynamics.
Starling's Positive Outlook on Rule Changes
Despite the Raiders conceding six of these calls in their recent 40-6 defeat to the Warriors last Friday, Starling remains optimistic about the rule's benefits. He emphasized that the changes are enhancing the sport by promoting faster and more physical play, aligning with the NRL's vision for an exciting, high-speed game.
"It suits me. It's good. It's improving the game," Starling told reporters on Tuesday. "The referees communicate to you what you're not doing, whether it's too slow in the ruck or you're offside. So it comes back to us to make sure we're not doing these infringements and cleaning up our discipline."
He further elaborated that teams must focus on adaptation to excel under the new rules, stating, "We've just got to do our best to adapt to them and be the best team at it. At the end of the day, it's the best team that overcomes it quickly enough and gets used to playing at that high speed. It's definitely faster, and that's what the NRL wants."
Kaeo Weekes Focuses on State of Origin Aspirations
Raiders speedster Kaeo Weekes also commented on the rule changes, expressing a lack of concern and instead directing his attention toward securing a spot in the NSW Blues State of Origin squad. Recent eligibility revisions now permit players who have represented New Zealand or England to qualify for State of Origin if they were born in NSW or Queensland, resided in one of these states before age 13, or if their father participated in the historic rivalry.
Born in Sydney, Weekes stands to benefit from these adjustments, having reportedly received an approach from New Zealand to play for the Kiwis in the previous season. "It's always been a goal of mine to represent my state and play for the Blues, so hopefully (I make it)," he remarked.
Looking Ahead to Raiders' Home Game
Weekes is concurrently concentrating on aiding the Raiders in recovering from their recent heavy loss as they prepare to face Canterbury this Thursday in their inaugural home game of the season. Reflecting on the previous match, he noted, "In that game last week, we switched off. This Thursday is going to be a different game, different squads. I'm looking forward to it, especially after last week."
The upcoming fixture presents a crucial opportunity for the Raiders to demonstrate resilience and adapt to the evolving NRL landscape shaped by the six-again rule changes.
