Paper Talk: Five point try, card amnesty & Leeds will turn things around

James Gordon
Rugby league paper talk joseph leilua

Off the back of another week dominated by the disciplinary, this week’s rugby league paper talk throws a rule change suggestion in to the mix.

Calls for card amnesty

Catalans coach Steve McNamara is calling for an amnesty following a flurry of cards at the start of the season. (League Express)

He wants the RFL to relax the ‘frivolous appeal’ rules.

McNamara said: “When we have clear evidence that was has been said in the match review panel’s report is not right we must have the right to be able to defend somebody without the fear of extra punishment.”

It remains to be seen whether the first half of this week is dominated by disciplinary discussion again.

Five point tries?

A mind-boggling suggestion in the papers this morning is to add a five (or six) point try.

League Express editor Martyn Sadler makes the suggestion to reward ‘spectacular’ tries.

“So why not give five, or even six points, for a try that arises directly from a play-the-ball, a scrum, a kick or an interception from inside a team’s own half?”

Sounds to me like it would yet another needless change that makes it harder for casual fans to understand the game.

Who cares?

Well, it must be a big story if rugby league has hit the Daily Mail.

The positive is it’s not a bad news story, though it is largely irrelevant.

Apparently, NRL and Kiwi star Benji Marshall has put his four bedroom house in Sydney up for sale.

And they are expecting to make a tidy profit after paying ‘just’ $1.5m for it in 2014.

I can sleep better tonight knowing that.

Counting Connor

The big winner of the weekend was Hull FC’s Jake Connor, who stole the headlines in their win over Salford.

He told Hull Daily Mail: “I genuinely love it. I get more of a buzz out of setting someone up. If someone’s near the tryline and I’ve got a walk in, I’ll probably pass it.”

Plus it gives us an excuse to plug this montage of those assists too, some beautiful play amongst them.

Maybe having a week’s rest against St Helens wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened.

NRL disciplinary storm

It’s not just over here that the disciplinary is causing a storm.

The NRL is embroiled in its own controversy after granting more players the chance to reduce their suspensions by a match.

Latrell Mitchell used the Indigenous All Stars game recently to reduce his own ban.

And now Melbourne’s Brandon Smith and NZ Warriors full-back Reece Walsh have done the same, even though that match was now more than two weeks ago.

Fox Sports pundit Greg Alexander said: “Whether we agree with the rule or not it is there to be taken advantage of.”

Matter of time for Leeds

Liam Sutcliffe says it’s just a matter of time before Leeds turn things round.

The Rhinos have suffered three consecutive defeats to start the new Super League season.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Obviously it has not been ideal, losing the first three games, but we’re still confident we’ll get to where we want to be.

“I am still very confident we’ll achieve something good this year.”

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