Referees implement set-restart rule in Digicel Cup round one games

ROUND one of the Digicel Cup saw the introduction of the set-restart rule with referees in Port Moresby and Lae enforcing the new change for the 2021 season. PNG National Rugby League Competitions (PNGNRLC) coaching and match officer Augustine Kuni said the rule change was a major change with players slowly catching on. “The set restarts come into effect when there’s a delay in the ruck by defenders or when defenders are inside the 10m of the ruck,” he told The National. “We visited all the teams prior to the start of the season and went over the new rules with them, so we expect them to be aware and ready to follow the changes. “A lot of penalties were handed out earlier in the first two games because players were still getting used to the new rules. “We also saw some poor handling which slowed the pace of the game and minimised the use of the restarts “For the referees, they’ve been under the supervision of Guma Opi and Paul Wani who are overseeing the implementation of the new rules and making sure that we get the referees in tune with them.” Kuni said it was an ongoing process with the referees to get the game in line with the rule changes, however, he was confident that the referees and match officials would deliver. He said the implementation of the new rules would be monitored to ensure that referees and players understood the changes.