The NRL’s play-the-ball crackdown has been labelled ”frustrating” and “infuriating” after referees honed in on ruck infringements over the weekend, leaving prominent figures and fans disappointed.

Round 20 began with referee Peter Gough blowing multiple penalties for incorrect play-the-balls in the Cowboys and Dolphins’ clash on Thursday night.

Then in the next game, with referee Todd Smith officiating, he penalised the Sharks and Roosters for multiple play-the-ball infringements.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

Both Addin Fonua-Blake and Ronaldo Mulitalo handed possession over after giving away rolled ball penalties and that theme continued throughout the weekend.

“I’m telling you, last night we saw it two or three times and already now in the opening 10 minutes, there have been two rolled ball calls,” Mick Ennis said on Fox League’s commentary.

“There is a focus from the refs, I think, on the step over the ball. And I don’t love it, if I’m being honest.”

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast, league legend Laurie Daley echoed Ennis’ opinion, calling for consistency in officiating.

“Honestly, you see a penalty given away, and it’s the right penalty so you go ‘no worries’,” Daley said.

“Then I reckon about a minute later you will see a play-the-ball that is exactly the same as the one that’s been penalised for, but it’s play on.”

Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield questioned if referees are “asking too much” of players to deliver a fast-paced product while keeping the play-the-ball clean.

But simply, for Rothfield, it comes down to consistency, with high tackle crackdowns in previous seasons leaving supporters and players alike furious.

“The whole idea of all the rule changes we had under Peter V’landys in Covid were designed to make the game a better product,” Rothfield said.

“Quick play-the-balls, no wrestle… so does it really matter if you don’t put your foot on the ball? Are we asking too much for players to roll it back?

“The frustrating thing for fans is, they had a crackdown at the start of the year for probably four rounds, and everyone got used to it and players were penalised.

“That was fair enough, and after four rounds everyone played the ball correctly and we got used to it. Then suddenly they stopped penalising, so players start rolling it back again.

MORE NRL NEWS

UP THE WAHS! Knights stunned as Warriors snatch victory with last-gasp miracle

HASLER: Des explodes in epic locker room spray, blasts ‘dumb’ Titans

TIGERS: Scenes at Leichhardt as Benji’s men win in dying seconds

‘UNFAIR’: O’Brien slams Knights’ ‘basket case claims’ after nightmare week

“We’ve got eight weeks for the run home and all of a sudden they are cracking down again, all we want is consistency.

“I could show you 100 play-the-balls every single weekend that are not perfect, not quite square, didn’t touch it, didn’t make every effort. They get away with it.”

Round 20 also delivered several tight finishes, meaning ruck penalties could soon decide games should a crackdown continue.

“There were two points in the Dogs game, two points in the Storm game, a field goal in the Tigers game, and then you see that last second try in Newcastle,” Rothfield said.

“They are really, really costly incidents that are affecting sides and infuriating fans. I hear from them all the time on social media, I get emails about it.

“They just have to decide, are they going to have an ugly play-the-ball or a perfect play-the-ball? Decide what they want and then leave it alone.

“Don’t change start of the year, mid-year, back-end of the year. It’s ridiculous.”