It’s been used in the English Super League since 2023 in an attempt to prevent players from exaggerating contact and faking injuries.
But could a ‘green card’ system soon find its way into the NRL?
The topic has been back in the news in the lead-up to Saturday’s first Ashes test at Wembley Stadium, with Kevin Walters and Kangaroos officials seeking clarification if the Super League green card system will be in place for the three-match series.
While that seems unlikely there is growing support to, at the very least, consider trialing the system in the NRL given ongoing frustrations with players staying down to milk penalties from the bunker.
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Currently in Super League, a referee has the ability to force a player who stays down after contact to leave the field for a period of two minutes—or use an interchange to remain on the field—if they’re deemed to be attempting to milk a penalty.
This is the official RFL wording in relation to the issuing of green cards:
‘Should the referee call time off either themselves or at the request of either a Physio, Doctor or Head Trainer to allow a player to receive attention then... The player will either leave the field for a concussion assessment, be interchanged, leave the field of play and return immediately once an interchange card is handed over or leave the field for 2 minutes of elapsed playing time before being allowed to reenter the field.
Should the referee call time off... For an injury that results from a penalty for foul play, the injured player will not be subject to the green card policy as outlined.’
While the issuing of green cards is not a frequent occurrence in Super League, the system does get used by referees.
One of the most recent incidents involved former North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt who received a green card for ‘simulation’ in September when playing for St Helens against Leigh Leopards—you can watch the incident in this video.
@skyrugby Should he have got a yellow card for diving?🟨😳 #rugby #rugbyleague #nrl ♬ original sound - Skyrugby