NRL to introduce new shot clock to increase game time

The NRL is introducing a new shot clock system in 2018 which will give fans more "ball-in-play" time and reduce delays in restarts.

In 2018, referees will call time off for 30 seconds immediately following all conversion attempts.

By doing so, NRL general manager of elite competitions Jason King believes the move will result in an additional three minutes of game time per match.

"At the moment, the time taken for players to return to the halfway line to restart play is wasted time as far as the fans are concerned," King said.

"The clock continues to run down (except in the last five minutes of play) but the fans see no football.

"We have decided to extend the shot clock concept to take time off for a set period of 30 seconds after each conversion attempt.

"That will add an average of more than three minutes of game time (where the ball is in play) to each premiership match in 2018.

"An extra three minutes of actual play can have a big bearing on the outcome of a game.

"Over the course of the season, this move will give fans the equivalent of more than 720 minutes – or seven more games – of rugby league."