SAINTS coach Mick Potter has queried the slower play-the-balls which have reared their head this year, seemingly without any central directives.

Referees’ tolerance of the holding down of tackled players impacts on a side like Saints who in Keiron Cunningham, James Roby and Leon Pryce have players who thrive from quicker rucks.

The Saints boss said: “Nobody has told us that there was going to be a change and the play the balls are to become slower.

“It is harder to get over the advantage line with your dummy halves if the rucks are slower.

“Having good dummy halves, who get over that advantage line, is a great asset to have and that has been St Helens’ strength over the past few seasons.

“I did not know there was going to be a change – if there has been somebody needs to tell me but what am I seeing at the moment is a slower ruck.”

Potter believes that the new interpretation of the rules will diminish the spectacle and lead to fewer tries.

“Do we want to go down the route where we have games that finish up 4-2 and you don’t see as many tries?

“I am not sure if that is the way to go and don’t think anybody wants to see five hit ups and a kick and the only tries that are scored are from kick plays. Is that the way they want their footy? I don’t think that is a good outcome for the game.

“If you win the ruck by having a good play previously your dummy half should be able to get over the advantage line and not have a good play the ball wrecked by holding down,” Potter said.