NRL changes rules to cut time-wasting, says Todd Greenberg Todd Greenberg during the NRL Auckland Nines jersey launch. NRL head of football Todd Greenberg has signed off on a series of significant rule changes - including structured times when a captain can talk to the referee during a game - in the hope of cutting time-wasting. Greenberg said the changes were made after consultations with the clubs, coaches, the competition committee and 11,000 NRL members and fans who responded to an online review. The NRL has also enforced the rules aimed at deterring the crusher and canon ball tackles, with the match review committee directed to charge crusher tackles at the "higher end," while referees are advised to call "held" earlier when a player is trapped in an upright position to prevent the third, and late, defender from coming in. Greenberg conceded the changes to "captain communication" could raise some debate. Under that rule, a skipper can only talk to a referee during a stoppage in play and as players leave the field for the half-time break. Penalties and scrums, however, are deemed not to be considered as breaks in play. "There was a level of frustration from players, fans and members when they watched games that when a player gets penalised, the attacking team should have the right to take a quick tap or kick for the line when they're ready and the referee has given them the mark," Greenberg said. It'll no longer be permitted [at the penalty] for a captain to rush up to talk to the referee. There'll be ample opportunity for them to do that in a structured manner. One of those times will be at half-time as they walk off the field. People want to see football, they want to see the ball in play, and the decisions we've made complement that view. It's not taking away the opportunity for the captains to talk, but it certainly allows for the game to move on. The changes include: Zero tackle from 20-metre restart: The first tackle after a 20-metre optional kick will be called a zero tackle. The rule change provides an extra tackle to discourage tactical kicks and negative play when the ball is kicked dead to slow down the game and deny wingers and fullbacks the chance to return kicks. 40/20 restarts: The team that performs a 40/20 kick will restart play with a tap kick 20 metres in from the touch at the point it crossed the line instead of at a scrum. Restarts from kicks out on the full: A handover will be awarded when the ball is kicked out on the full. Stop the clock: During the last five minutes of a match, the clock will stop following a conversion or penalty kick at goal until play restarts at halfway. Quick taps: A quick penalty restart will be permitted on any infringement except 10-metre penalties, where the referee issues a caution or within 10 metres of the opposition goal line. The change encourages more continuous play. Goal-kicking time limit: The referee will call time-off at about one minute, 20 seconds following a try. Fines will still apply to clubs when a player takes longer than 1:40 to take a conversion. "This has been the end of five months of heavy consultation with clubs," Greenberg said. We've been able to get around and get opinions, which is important, but the point I've made to coaches is 'We'll always listen to you and we'll take your opinions on board but our charter is to make decisions that are in the best interest of the game'.