The NRL has issued a stern warning to clubs regarding the correct feeding of scrums, emphasizing the consequences of improper tactics.
Players have been observed trying to deceive their opponents by feigning a feed, intending to catch them offside and disrupt their defensive line.
This has prompted a decisive response from NRL headquarters, which has circulated an email to all 17 clubs to address this issue directly.
"If you baulk when feeding the scrum, trying to catch the opposition offside," stated David Fairleigh, the NRL's club relationship manager of elite officiating.
"You will be asked to feed the scrum again correctly. If you continue to do this, it may be seen as a repeated cynical act and be penalised or sin-binned."
In addition to this warning, the NRL raised concerns following recent games, particularly the clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers on Thursday.
During this match, Bulldogs player Matt Burton was seen propelling the ball into the air towards himself as Panthers' Nathan Cleary was preparing to take a conversion kick.
Cleary subsequently missed the attempt, which would have placed his team ahead after overcoming a significant 16-point deficit.
"It is illegal to attempt to distract the attention of a player who is kicking a goal," the email further clarified.