Remember Origin I, when Nicho Hynes narrowly missed that 40-20, and then Daly Cherry-Evans almost nailed it the very next set?

Let’s be honest, Queensland was lucky, was an inch or two short for mine.

Well, that’s the drama of the Origin battle for you – love and war, baby.

Anyhowzers, rugby league aficionados, I’m ready to shake things up in our beloved NRL – imagine a world without the 40-20 or the six-again rule.

The game just wouldn’t be the same, would it? But there’s always room for improvement to make it even more electrifying and strategic.

So, grab a cold one, sit back, and let’s dive into it.

1. Power Plays

Taking a leaf out of cricket and hockey playbooks, let’s introduce power plays with a twist: drop the opposition from 13 to 11 players for a set period.

This could be a game-changer, mate.

Coaches would need to be spot-on with their timing – do you disrupt the other team’s groove when they’re on top, or wait for a clutch moment?

Imagine the drama if there’s already a send-off. Talk about adding spice and strategy to the mix.

2. Encouraging creative play with the chip/grubber kicks in general play

Now, about those chip kicks and grubbers. They can be a risky business, right? If they don’t come off, bam, possession is gone.

How about this: for short, cheeky chip kicks or grubbers under 20 meters, if the kicking team regains possession, they get three tackles instead of six.

This way, we reward audacious play without slamming teams for taking a punt.

Keep it fair though – only thrice per half to keep everyone on their toes.

3. Goal-line restarts

Let’s spice up the goal-line restart.

Imagine a quick dropkick from the team’s own goal line. If it goes less than 20 meters and the kicking team snatches it back, they only get three tackles instead of the usual six.

This rule could unleash some daring moves from deep within the territory, pushing teams to take calculated risks for thrilling results.

Twice per half should keep the action unpredictable.

4. Lineout option instead of scrums

To add more flair, let’s swap out the occasional scrum for lineouts.

Not to copy rugby union, nah, but to add a fresh strategic twist. Teams can opt for a lineout instead of a scrum twice per half.

It’s not just about the set play, it’s about the spectacle and strategy unfolding in every match.

Bringing variety, momentum changes and strategy to the forefront

Power plays, creative chip kicks, revamped goal line restarts, and dynamic lineout options bring new dimensions, rewarding creativity and strategic thinking.

We’re turning each match into a strategic chess match – fast, furious, and full of surprises.

The NRL’s already a ripper, but with a bit of innovation and a cheeky sense of humour, we can take it to the next level.

Let’s keep the banter flowing, and the ideas brewing, and who knows? Maybe we’ll see these changes shake up the game.