The Captain’s Challenge will be introduced in the Super League from 2025, starting from the first round in February.
The move to introduce the Captain’s Challenge was one of four legislative changes tabled by the RFL on Tuesday. The new law will see the captaincy of all matches broadcast in 2025, including the Betfred Challenge Cup, Women’s Super League and Challenge Cup, leaving the scope of on-field decisions to the video referee.
However, each team is only allowed one failed challenge in each match, so captains must use challenges wisely. If successful, the challenge remains.
The captain has 10 seconds after the referee decides to object. It can only be used when the whistle blows and play is stopped.
There are situations where the law cannot be used. roll ball; Discretionary penalties (10 meters/marker offside, ruck infringement related to speed of ball play, touch after hold call or in-goal tackle); penalty mark; waste of time; dissent; intentional forward pass; Scrum penalty.
The RFL board also approved amendments to recommendations relating to head contact. This means that the rules regarding head contact will remain the same as in 2024.
This follows a “significant reduction in concussion and sub-concussion incidents measured by the widespread use of mouthguards in Super League 2024”.
This means that tackles below shoulder height are still permitted, rather than changes that occur below armpit height.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Wigan Warriors lifted the Super League trophy after beating Hull KR in the grand final at Old Trafford.
The other three laws introduced relate to injured players, the use of green cards for offside kick chasers and encouraging creativity in eliminations.
Green cards can now be used on both attacking players and defenders, referees can now distinguish between active and passive offside players in kick chases, and there are two variants of dropouts.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look at exclusive footage of Wigan Warriors players, staff and fans celebrating their Super League final victory over Hull KR at Old Trafford.
If a team kicks a dropout into the pool beyond the touchline or fails to move at least 10 meters forward on the pitch by kicking a dropout, play is restarted by playing the ball 10 meters down the field. Instead of kicking a penalty kick from the center of the 10m line, the kick is taken from the center of the goal line.
If a team drops out 20 meters and goes completely over the touchline, or drops out 20 meters and fails to move at least 10 meters forward on the pitch, play is restarted with one play. Instead of taking a penalty kick from the center of the 20m line, you hit the ball from the center of the 20m line.
Super League 2025 – Key dates and things to watch for
March 1: Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas
April 17-19: Round 8 – Rival Round
May 3-4: Magic Round (Newcastle St James’ Park)
July 24: August 31 – Round 20 – Rounds split over two weekends.
September 4-7: Round 25 – Rivalry Round Match Schedule Reversed
September 18-21: Round 27 – Last round of the regular season (date and time to be determined)
September 26-27: elimination playoffs
October 3-4: semifinal
Saturday, October 11: Grand Final (Old Trafford)
