Rugby League: Key Changes to Video Referee Decisions and Shot Clock Introduced for 2026 Season
The Rugby Football League (RFL) has given the green light to several key changes ahead of the 2026 Super League season. One of the most significant updates is related to video referee decisions when a try is scored.
Currently, if an on-field referee believes it's a 'try', they will automatically award the score. However, this will no longer be the case. The new rule means that if the referee thinks it's a 'try', they won't immediately award the score without first consulting the video referee. Instead, the game clock will remain in play until the video referee confirms or disputes the decision.
If the live decision is initially called 'no try' by the on-field referee, the process remains unchanged – with the time stopped to allow the video referee to review the incident "to adjudicate". The key change kicks in when the referee thinks it's a 'try'. In this scenario, the referee will wait for the video referee's verdict before making a decision.
A major twist comes into play if the video referee decides that the on-field referee got it wrong. In such cases, the game clock will be reset to the point of the original whistle blow, and the score will be changed.
Another significant change is the introduction of a 'goal kick shot clock'. A 60-second time limit will now come into effect for both penalties and conversions. The countdown begins when the video referee confirms it as a 'try', and the kicker must attempt their shot before the clock expires.
In the event that something goes wrong during the kicking process, such as the ball falling off the tee, the shot clock will be paused and won't resume until the issue is resolved.
The changes recommended by the RFL Laws Committee were approved last week and are set to take effect for the 2026 season.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) has given the green light to several key changes ahead of the 2026 Super League season. One of the most significant updates is related to video referee decisions when a try is scored.
Currently, if an on-field referee believes it's a 'try', they will automatically award the score. However, this will no longer be the case. The new rule means that if the referee thinks it's a 'try', they won't immediately award the score without first consulting the video referee. Instead, the game clock will remain in play until the video referee confirms or disputes the decision.
If the live decision is initially called 'no try' by the on-field referee, the process remains unchanged – with the time stopped to allow the video referee to review the incident "to adjudicate". The key change kicks in when the referee thinks it's a 'try'. In this scenario, the referee will wait for the video referee's verdict before making a decision.
A major twist comes into play if the video referee decides that the on-field referee got it wrong. In such cases, the game clock will be reset to the point of the original whistle blow, and the score will be changed.
Another significant change is the introduction of a 'goal kick shot clock'. A 60-second time limit will now come into effect for both penalties and conversions. The countdown begins when the video referee confirms it as a 'try', and the kicker must attempt their shot before the clock expires.
In the event that something goes wrong during the kicking process, such as the ball falling off the tee, the shot clock will be paused and won't resume until the issue is resolved.
The changes recommended by the RFL Laws Committee were approved last week and are set to take effect for the 2026 season.
! First off, I'm loving the 'try' delay - it's like a mini cliffhanger before the try is even confirmed 
. But what if they're wrong and the clock starts ticking...? 
Can you imagine the coach who just made that perfect pass going "wait, no! We didn't score! 
" It's gonna be a wild ride!
I'm loving these updates for the Super League in 2026! A no-brainer to me is introducing that shot clock 
- it's gonna keep games moving at a faster pace, making them more exciting for fans like me. The idea of pausing the clock during kicking process might take some getting used to, but I think it's a small price to pay for the sake of the game 
. What do you guys think about these changes? Will they make the game even more thrilling? 
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... just imagine having to wait even longer for a try to be confirmed 
! It's gonna be a bit of a rollercoaster, but I think it's all about trying to improve the game and make it fairer for everyone involved 
. The goal kick shot clock thing is also kinda cool, but at the same time, I can see how frustrating it'll be if the clock runs out and you're still stuck with the ball 
... let's just hope everything gets resolved quickly 
just thinking about all these new rules, its gonna take some time to get used to... i mean think about when u r watching a match n ur on edge because of that try or conversion ... now its like u gotta wait for the video ref to make a call 
! Having a video referee's verdict before awarding a try makes sense, it's all about accuracy and fairness, right? 
The shot clock rule is also super cool, I mean who doesn't hate waiting for ages for penalties or conversions to be taken? 
...it's all about innovation and making the game better for us fans! 
It's like they're trying to suck the excitement outta the game. And don't even get me started on the goal kick shot clock 
. but this new rule is def gonna make the game a bit more interesting 
. and 60 seconds for goal kicks? that's like, super tight 
! i hope its not too stressful for the kickers 
. what do u guys think about these changes tho? 
It's all about efficiency and speed, right? Plus, who doesn't love a good countdown? 
but i guess the shot clock makes sense, gotta keep the game moving at a decent pace... 60 seconds feels like forever for those penalties... and what's up with resetting the clock if the ref got it wrong? seems like they're just creating more drama 
The new rule might help reduce some of that frustration by giving the video referee more control over the decision-making process. It's still gonna be a bit weird watching it all go down live though - I feel like we'll need to get used to seeing more delays during games. And can we talk about the shot clock for a sec? 60 seconds is actually pretty reasonable... I guess it's better than trying to fit in a goal kick attempt before the crowd gets too restless 
. One thing I'm kinda stoked about is the new video referee decision rule - it means the on-field refs won't be able to just give away tries without checking first 
. Can't wait for the 2026 season! 
wouldn't that just create more drama and confusion on the field?