Peter V’landys accuses NRL players of ‘not telling the truth’ about confusion over set-restart rules
Posted Mon 7 Sep 2026 at 5:42pmMon 7 Sep 2026 at 5:42pmMon 7 Sep 2026 at 5:42pm
In short:
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys says players are being dishonest about the confusion around set-restarts.
Storm skipper Harry Grant called out the rule changes and V’landys responded by saying “the raw numbers don’t back up what Harry is saying”.
Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also worried that the new rules could lead to more injuries due to the increased pace of play.
Peter V’landys has accused players of “not telling the truth” about set-restart confusion, as a survey of finals captains revealed ongoing uncertainty around the ruck.
The topic of set restarts is set to dominate the NRL finals, after Melbourne star Harry Grant claimed widespread frustration from players at the weekend.
The Melbourne captain declared most no longer knew what constituted a fast or slow play-the-ball, and the NRL needed to decide between being rugby league or touch football.
An AAP survey of captains and representatives at Monday’s finals launch backed up Grant’s claims, with six of the sides indicating they were still not entirely clear on what ruck speed referees wanted.
Also raised by players was the fact there is no chance to ask for clarification, given the game rolls on quickly with a set restart.
But V’landys disagreed, pointing to the fact there are only two reasons for set restarts and players had become more compliant for offside ones.
“I don’t buy that,” ARL Commission chairman V’landys said.
“The wrestling’s got to go. The fans did not like the wrestling, they didn’t like people slowing down the ruck speed. And we’ve accommodated that.
“The players know when they’re trying to control the ruck speed.
“I think that they’re not telling the truth if they believe when they’re giving a six again, they didn’t know what it was for. I mean, I think it’s pretty obvious.“
Set restarts increased dramatically over the first half of the season, before dropping off through the State of Origin period and rising again in recent weeks.
The rise at the start of the year coincided with the NRL expanding the area in which they can be awarded to from 60 metres of the field to 80.
V’landys indicated they would not be repealed next season, rejecting Grant’s claims there was confusion this year.
“I have the ultimate respect for Harry, and Harry’s an absolute ornament of the game, but he’s got this one wrong,” V’landys said.
“When you look at the facts, the ruck speed is still the same as it was last year. It’s around 3.5 seconds, and it remains that way.
“Some teams try to take advantage of the ruck and slow the ruck down … we make no apology that we’re going to keep the ruck speed the same for both teams.
“The raw numbers don’t back up what Harry is saying.”
The majority of club representatives surveyed on Monday did not blame referees, but suggested there was still some grey area around ruck interpretation.
“With some of the six agains, who knows what they are for,” Cronulla co-captain Cameron McInnes said.
“I just think about a fan watching at home … you just see them and think ‘what was that for? It was like the tackle before’.
“That’s a problem.”
Asked if he shared the same confusion, McInnes suggested he did.
“I get the clear as day ones where guys are taking the piss … but then there are flops and re-grips that don’t get called as well,” he said.
“I don’t know what their mindset is, but there will be some at the start of the game that is given a six again, and others that are not.”
Some players at the NRL finals launch also raised concerns around whether a faster game had prompted an increased injury toll.
“I feel like it’s not a clear understanding [of the interpretation],” injured Warriors veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said.
“As players we understand they want a faster and more entertaining game, but they’re risking that with the number of injuries every team has.
“That’s what they have to weigh up.
“Yes we’re building a very entertaining game and people love the product. But at the same time you lose all these big players out.”
AAP