Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has reversed his earlier stance on the controversial six-again rule, claiming its current application is undermining the essence of rugby league. During his Thursday press conference, Stuart revealed that he was once supportive of the rule but has since grown disillusioned.
The six-again mechanism has sparked considerable debate within the NRL, with many expressing confusion over its usage. Prominent figures such as Paul Gallen and Phil Gould have voiced their critiques, highlighting an overwhelming number of six-agains in matches, which Gould described on Nine’s 100% Footy as excessive.
Stuart has expressed frustration, stating, "I was a fan of the six-again, but I think we’ve lost the fabric of the game. The way it’s being interpreted has become too arbitrary." He pointed out that many instances warranting a six-again would historically have been penalised, and he believes the current leniency is drawing significant criticism. He voiced concerns that simply speeding up the game does not necessarily enhance its appeal, particularly when it leads to lopsided scores, such as 50-30.
This marks a significant shift from Stuart’s previous comments in March, when he urged fans to either accept the six-again rule or witness players resorting to grappling tactics. Back then, he advocated for the necessity of a faster game, rejecting the notion of wrestling as detrimental to the sport’s enjoyment. He argued for the need for a gameplay style that tests skill and defence, which he believed would be more engaging for fans.
Stuart emphasised the importance of consistency from match officials regarding the six-again calls, especially as they pertain to high-profile players. He noted his discontent with receiving six-again penalties during matches but reaffirmed that he is committed to ensuring his team plays a cleaner game to minimise such occurrences.
He concluded his remarks by reiterating the need for the refereeing standards to be regularly assessed, particularly in relation to the consistency of six-agains across all players.