The following Laws amendments, recommended by the RFL Laws Committee, were approved by the RFL Board last week – and will therefore be introduced for the 2026 season.
Laws Amendments, 2025
1. Goal kick shot clock
A 60 second time limit will be applied for penalties and conversions. The clock will be started once the video referee review outcome is confirmed as ‘try’. The ball must be kicked before the expiry of the shot clock. If the kicking process is corrupted i.e. ball falls off the tee, the shot clock will be stopped and will not restart, with the kick allowed to take place.
2. Live Review – Video referee process
In the instance of a live decision of ‘no try’:
If the on-field officials indicate ‘no try’ and require the decision to be reviewed, time will be called off and the decision will be referred to the video referee to adjudicate.
In the instance of a live decision of ‘try’:
The referee will award the try and the decision reviewed by the video referee without the game clock being stopped.
The conversion attempt will not be permitted until the VR is satisfied that the on-field decision of ‘try’ should not be overturned.
On any occasion where the VR has not finalised their review of the decision within 80 seconds of the try being awarded or before the kicker attempts the conversion, the referee will call ‘time off’.
If the VR finds the on-field decision of ‘try’ is incorrect, the referee will overturn the decision, and the game clock will be reset to the point in time that the referee blew the whistle to award the try.
The above Law amendments are applicable only to matches with an appointed video referee and timekeeper.
RFL Laws Committee – recommendations followed a meeting on October 29.
