Wayne Bennett Supports the NRL’s Six Again Policy
Wayne Bennett, the experienced South Sydney coach, has expressed his support for the NRL’s controversial six again policy. He believes that the rule change, which allows for set restarts instead of traditional penalties for ruck infringements and offside violations, is a positive step forward for the game.
Bennett’s comments come after Raiders coach Ricky Stuart criticized the rule change, stating that it has altered the “fabric of the game” by increasing scores and creating a faster-paced match. While the decision to implement set restarts has sparked significant online backlash, Bennett remains firm in his belief that the new system is better than the alternative.
“I’ve expressed my views before and they really haven’t changed,” Bennett said. “There’s no doubt it’s a game-changer. We’ve got a game that’s full of entertainment right now, with some wonderful tries being scored and great ball movement.”
He emphasized that returning to the old rules, such as the use of wrestling tackles, would slow down the game and negatively impact the overall experience. “Do we go back to when we had wrestle and all the other terms for different types of tackles that were making the whole game bog down? I don’t want to go back to that.”
Bennett highlighted that the game suffered for over a decade under those conditions and that he doesn’t want to see a return to that era. “If we find an answer for not having the six again, I’d be happy, but the reality is the onus is back on the players.”
He added that players are often pushing the boundaries of the rules, but this particular rule makes it clear that there are consequences for mistakes. “This is one they really can’t play on the edge with because it really hurts your team.”
Strategic Moves for Upcoming Match
Bennett will be hoping for a disciplined performance from his team in the upcoming match against the winless Dragons. The team will be without first-choice fullback Jye Gray, who is sidelined with an AC joint injury. In his place, Matt Dufty, a livewire fullback, will make his return to the NRL after playing in the UK Super League.
“I’m really pleased for him,” Bennett said. “He came home from Warrington a bit earlier than expected and made contact with us. We’re happy to have him.”
Assistant coach Ben Hornby, who previously coached Dufty, played a key role in the decision to bring him back. “Ben spent a long time coaching him, so we knew what to expect on the field as well as off the field, so it’s good.”
The decision to keep Latrell Mitchell at left centre rather than moving him to fullback surprised some, but Bennett explained that it was based on the need for stability in the backline. David Fifita, who is out with a hamstring injury, will be missing from the left edge, and Bennett didn’t want to disrupt the team too much.
“If Jye had been out for a lot longer, I might have made a different decision,” Bennett said. “But next couple of weeks, I think we can get the job done there and it makes us more stable in our backline because these guys are playing together each week.”
Bennett also mentioned that he doesn’t see a future where Mitchell isn’t back at fullback. “It was only a decision we made this year because we believed it was in the best interest of the club, and we made this decision again because I believe it’s in the best interest of the team that we have one new guy coming in rather than moving the whole backline around.”
Injury Concerns and Team Management
Fifita is expected to miss three or four weeks due to his hamstring injury, while powerhouse prop Keaon Koloamatangi is playing through the pain of a knee injury. “He’s a bit restricted as well. We probably need a week off for him, but we just can’t do it at the moment,” Bennett said.
The team is currently dealing with multiple injuries, with five forwards in rehab. “We’ll probably get Junior Tatola back next week, so we just need a bit of relief there and have to hang on a little bit longer for Keaon.”
