‘You don’t want to be playing touch’: Morris

The NRL has become faster this season, but Sydney Roosters centre Josh Morris doesn’t want the game to lose its gladiatorial soul and become “touch football”.

The new rule changes, like six again and no scrums following kicks into touch, have significantly increased the pace of the game.

Players can no longer manage the pace of the game as much, with the game’s flow more constant and the ball continually in play.

As a result, there have been more injuries and head knocks this season as the players struggle with the sport’s increased speed.

Sydney Roosters centre Josh Morris doesn’t think the game can get too much faster. Picture. Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia

Morris believes NRL powerbrokers are walking a fine line between entertainment and losing the game’s physicality.

“The game is definitely faster, but I wouldn’t want to see it get too much faster,” Morris said.

“You don’t want to be playing touch football.

“This is probably one of the toughest sports in the world, and it has got that gladiator aspect and that attrition aspect to it.

“You don’t want to lose that because that is when you start to see some of the best traits come out in the best players.

“So, I’d like to see it stay the way it is, and I don’t want to see it get too faster.”

Morris believes NRL powerbrokers are walking a fine line between entertainment and losing the game’s physicality. Picture. Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia

In other news, Morris confirmed he expects to decide on playing again next season in the coming weeks.

The 34-year-old outside back has played 312 NRL games since making his debut with St George Illawarra back in 2007.

“I’ll make a call halfway through the year,” he said about his playing future.

“I’ll see how my body is feeling, mentally and physically, and make a call then.”

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