NRL coaches have a knack for uncovering loopholes within the rule book.
This has been a long-standing tradition, and recently, another loophole was identified in the game.
The NRL introduced the shot clock years ago for scrums and dropouts to reduce time wastage, and overall, it has been quite effective.
A quicker game results in more playtime and discourages teams from dragging their feet on scrums or delaying dropouts.
However, it's widely recognized that teams dread defending scrums near their own line.
While scrum plays may be less common in the NRL today, they can still pose significant threats against a less-prepared defense.
This has been evident in key games throughout the years; for instance, the play by the Cronulla Sharks in the 2016 grand final highlights this well, as it effectively capitalized on defensive gaps.
Ultimately, for teams on defense, especially as the pace of the game intensifies, the option of defending a scrum instead of resetting their line becomes a straightforward choice.
Interestingly, this realization seems to have struck coaches Cameron Ciraldo and Todd Payten this past weekend.