Rugby league governing bodies are permitted to vary the Laws for use in their own competitions.
This allows countries to cater for their own "priorities, competitors
and opportunities", while avoiding the hindrance to progress that a
necessity for international agreement might cause. In the past, "pre-tour agreements" between opponents have been employed to deal with differences.
International rugby competitions, including the World Cup, are often played under rules that differ from the official Laws.
The Laws have undergone significant changes since pioneers of the sport broke away from the Rugby football establishment in 1895. Sean Fagan, a rugby league historian, describes the sport as a "constantly evolving animal, particularly with professional coaches, [with which] the rules have to keep pace".
International rugby competitions, including the World Cup, are often played under rules that differ from the official Laws.
The Laws have undergone significant changes since pioneers of the sport broke away from the Rugby football establishment in 1895. Sean Fagan, a rugby league historian, describes the sport as a "constantly evolving animal, particularly with professional coaches, [with which] the rules have to keep pace".
