Peter V'landys recently affirmed his receptiveness to player feedback regarding set-restart rules, following criticism from the players' union regarding his comments questioning the players' honesty concerning rule confusion.
On Monday, V'landys claimed players were "not telling the truth" about their understanding of set-restart guidelines, coinciding with an AAP survey indicating that many players lacked clarity on the NRL's ruck interpretations.
Melbourne's Harry Grant voiced concerns during the finals launch, stating the sport needs to decide whether it aims to resemble touch football or maintain its rugby league roots amid complaints about the speed of the ruck.
Both Cronulla's Cameron McInnes and Sydney Roosters' James Tedesco echoed similar sentiments, highlighting inconsistencies that left captains without a clear understanding of the set-restart process.
In light of these discussions, V'landys and Rugby League Players Association CEO Clint Newton addressed the issue together, although details from their conversation were not disclosed.
Newton noted that they reached "a clear, shared understanding" about managing these matters in the future, emphasizing the importance of players sharing their experiences without feeling their integrity is questioned.
Data indicates a significant increase in set restarts this season, spurred by the expansion of the restart zone from 60 to 80 meters. This led to a rise in scoring and match margins.
While V'landys mentioned that the restart zone would likely remain unchanged next season, he expressed openness to reviewing the rules post-season. "We will always keep an open mind and welcome all input," he said.
He underscored the need for constructive dialogue with players, reflecting a willingness to engage on rule impacts and improvements for the sport going forward.