Tom Starling supports NRL's six-again rule, emphasizing players must adapt, not referees.
Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling has backed the NRL's controversial six-again rule changes, saying the onus to adapt is on players, not referees.
The code introduced new restart rules this season in a bid to speed up matches, but they have had a mixed reception, with Cowboys captain Tom Dearden calling them frustrating, and his coach Todd Payten saying they have brought fatigue into the game.
The changes mean 10-metre infringement penalties have been replaced with a six-again ruling. The call is also being used beyond the 20m line, replacing the previous 40m rule.
There has been a rise in the number of set restarts. Last year there was an average of 5.9 six-agains per game, but that has ballooned to 9.8 a match in the...