NRL announces play-off reforms

Australia are to scrap their controversial play-off system in favour of the one used in Super League.

On the eve of the new NRL season, the newly-formed Australian Rugby League Commission announced on Wednesday that the convoluted McIntyre model is to make way for a more even-handed top-four, bottom-four format.

The top eight will be divided into two separate groups in week one of the play-offs, as happens in Super League and used to happen in the old Australia Rugby League.

Team one will meet team four and second will play third, with the winners going through to week three with home advantage and the losers receiving a second chance in week two.

In the other pool, the fifth-ranked side will take on team eight while six plays seven, with the winners travelling away to the top-four losers in week two.

The McIntyre system has been used since 1999 but was criticised for failing to reward the teams finishing in the top four and providing potential 'leg-ups' for those clubs ranked further down.

"As the competition has become closer and the impact of 'home-and-away' finals matches even more significant, the system has become a source of increasing debate," said ARLC chief executive David Gallop.

"The allocation of 'home venues' in the second week of the McIntyre system has been a particular concern.

"After going through a thorough process, we are confident that this is the right time for this change."