Stripping rule up for debate 

Rugby league's most controversial rule - on ball-stripping - will be debated at the NRL's annual conference in Sydney starting on Wednesday.

The two-day conference will also look at topics including the time taken for video referee decisions, the goalkicking "shot clock", the structure of the season, player recruitment and salary cap issues.

But the issue likely to rouse the most feeling is the ball-stripping rule.

Former NSW coach turned commentator Phil Gould has been outspoken among critics of the current rule which allows the defending team to strip the ball from an attacker only in a one-on-one tackle.

The rule has led to controversy over referees' interpretations of when a second player was involved in a tackle, thereby making the strip illegal.

A player is currently deemed to be "involved" in the tackle if he has his hands anywhere on the attacking player.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said ball stripping had been a hot subject for years and he didn't expect any major amendment despite the passion it raises.

"There may be a change, but if there is, it is unlikely to be a major change," Annesley said.

"There are things we can do to make it easier. We have tried every possible permutation over the years but there's no obvious answer - if there was, we would have done it by now."

There will be a presentation of each discussion topic before it is thrown open for debate.

Anneseley said some of the topics were to be discussed at the request of clubs.

If further action or discussion was needed, the issue would be sent to the NRL board for discussion.

Club chief executives and NRL management will attend day one of the conference, but day two will be attended by players, coaches and chairmen from each club as well as representatives from the Rugby League Professionals Association (RLPA) and NRL board members.

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said the conference was a good way for the game's powerbrokers to put their point across.

"I look forward to it in a general sense every year," Fitzgerald said.

"It's the only opportunity the game's major shareholders have to put forward their opposing views."

Fitzgerald last month suggested that goalkicks should be done away with and the value of tries raised from four to five points.

He said he would raise it at the conference, but conceded it was an idea he expected "very little" support from the other clubs on.

"But I knew that (when I suggested it)," Fitzgerald said.

"I've been talking about it for ten years and I've gotten very little support on it for ten years.

"It just seems logical to me that getting over the tryline is the most important part of our game and no matter where you score a try, it should be worth the same."