There cannot be another game that changes the basic rules of the game so frequently yet still cannot seem to get it right OR have consistency wherever the game is played! Year in year out the rules change.
When I started playing / watching just off the top of my head:
Scrums were contested
It was attacking head / defending ball
The feed was at least supposed to be down the middle not straight into the second row
We had 2 substitutes
It was 3 points for a try
You could play the ball to yourself
You could strike at the play the ball
You could take a 25 tap as quick as you could get there
You could tackle above the chest without it being a high shot -
You definitely had to play the ball with your foot
You really had to ground the ball properly for it to be considered a try
No such thing as a turnover
Warrington hadn't won the league for decades ( oops no change there)
The referees generally didn't coach the players on field - if you transgressed rules you got pinged. They generally managed with just 2 touch judges no video or in goal helpers.
There was no sin bin, head bin , head tests....(just head cases!)
It was up to the ball carrier to keep hold of the pill
No zero tackle. You got 6 that was yer lot
Defenders could actually tackle opponents into touch without conceding a penalty
The obstruction rule was pretty clear and we could use dummy runners. Everyone understood the rule
Following a good all -in brawl an all round bo11ocking from the referee was generally sufficient without waving cards everywhere
If you hit the corner flag you were out of play