Johnathan Thurston wants to keep experiments off the field NOT HAPPY: Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld) COWBOYS superstar Johnathan Thurston has reopened bitter wounds with NRL officialdom by hitting out at an experimental rule to be used in the Indigenous-NRL All Stars clash. For the second consecutive year, the NRL will trial a ruck infringement rule designed to eliminate illegal spoiling tactics in Saturday night's promotional blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium. The pre-season hitout will also witness the new interpretation on shoulder charges after the ARL Commission's controversial decision to ban the brutal tackle in November. Under the experimental ruck rule, the referee will not award a penalty if the defensive team employs go-slow tactics such as holding down or placing hands on the ball. Instead, the official will immediately restart the tackle count, giving the attacking side a fresh set of six and, in turn, keep the tempo of the game flowing. NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has applauded the rule, calling it a "tremendous innovation," but Thurston said it was an experiment the code can do without. "I am not too happy about that rule," Thurston said. Last year they tried it and I remember the refs signalled six-to-go three times in consecutive tackles, rarely would they blow a penalty in three consecutive tackles. We are just going to have to deal with it again. Thurston fears that by avoiding a potentially game-changing penalty, referees will instead be encouraged to give attacking teams constant back-to-back sets when they would ordinarily let play continue. Asked if the experimental rule would change the fabric of the game if made an official law, Thurston said: "I think it is a comfort thing for the officials ... would they blow three penalties in a row for ruck infringements? And do you know what the penalties are for? When it's just play-on, as a captain you can't question the decision. Thurston will run on to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night a free agent for 2014, but the Maroons pivot insists his unresolved future isn't a distraction, even if talks drag on for most of the season. It is widely believed the next contract Thurston signs will be his last in the NRL. But at 29, the Cowboys playmaker has not ruled out playing into his mid-30s, a scenario that would see him remain in the NRL until the end of 2018. "Johnathan has a minimum four or five years in him potentially and that is his immediate focus," his manager Sam Ayoub said. This could be his last contract but he may well play on beyond this next deal. Why couldn't he? Darren Lockyer played until the age of 34. Johnathan is only 29.