Super League coaches were against 'six again', says Adrian Lam

Adrian Lam says he is “embracing” the new ‘six again’ – despite the Super League coaches being opposed to the rule change.
Coach Adrian LamCoach Adrian Lam
Coach Adrian Lam

The competition has copied the NRL in changing the way teams are punished for infringements at the ruck, such as holding down.

Instead of awarding a penalty, referees are restarting the tackle count, and fans saw the change in operation in the two Super League matches which restarted the campaign last Sunday.

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Lam says he wasn’t the only club coach against bringing in the ‘six again’ but, now it is here, will try and make the most of it.

“I feel the coaches were strong about not going ahead with that, the feedback at the time was, ‘Let’s see how it pans out in the NRL and then a decision can be made for 2021 when it’s a fresh season’,” the Warriors boss said.

“But they’ve run with it and we’re embracing it, we’re 100mph with it.”

Referee Robert Hicks took charge of an opposed training session last week to give players a sample of the ‘six again’, which many observers say has led to faster games.

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Lam said: “In the NRL, when it first started, they loved the concept, but I was concerned that the refs were policing the ruck differently than how they would normally adjudicate it.

“But I’ve shared that concern with the refs here and we’ve been on the same page with them, in that nothing should change - apart from blowing six again where they would have previously given a penalty.

“My other concern is what if (the infringement) is in kicking distance of the goalposts?

“Would you rather the two points, that’d be a massive call and in time something may need to change there.

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“In the NRL, the six again has sped its ruck up – but I always felt, as a former player here, that it was quicker in Super League anyway... so I’m hoping not much changes in this competition. We’ll get a better feel as it unfolds and the refs are asking for patience in that area too and we’ll work with them, because it needs to work for everyone.

“I’m sure we’ll get the balance right.”

Lam will today name his provisional squad for Sunday’s televised match against Wakefield at Leeds’ Headingley.

Props Ben Flower and Oliver Partington are banned and, as previously reported, centre Oliver Gildart (shoulder) and prop Tony Clubb (neck) are injured.