The NRL has reported a significant rise in set restarts, increasing by 35%, but this has revealed discrepancies in officiating during the last round.
The league has alerted clubs to "expect a high focus" on ruck infringements following an analysis that found numerous penalties were overlooked in the previous weekend's matches.
In its latest communication to coaches, NRL headquarters emphasized that various aspects of gameplay will be scrutinized in round two, particularly ruck speed, interactions involving playmakers after they pass or kick, and the manner in which captains engage with referees.
One of the key findings relates to the ongoing debate surrounding the enforcement of set restarts, which had an average of eight instances per match throughout the first round.
This change is part of four rule modifications enacted during the off-season, which have broadened the circumstances under which set restarts can be awarded. They now apply from the attacking side's 20-metre line, focusing on ruck infringements and instances of defenders being offside.