Canberra Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson isn't a fan of the NRL's new bunker protocols and thinks it ruins the moment - not just for the players, but the fans as well.

He wants a return to the old system where it was sent immediately to the bunker to decide whether a try should be awarded or not.

The NRL changed the system during the off-season and now the referee awards the try, everyone celebrates and then the bunker reviews it.

It's what has fans in Hodgson's native England pulling their hair out in frustration, with calls it's ruining the game.

Hodgson was concerned it would do the same in the NRL.

The Raiders had two tries belatedly disallowed in their 30-12 victory over the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on Sunday - one of them ruining what would have marked a special return for Sebastian Kris, who missed 2020 due to mental health issues.

The changes were made to try and speed up the game, but it's ruining one of the best things about sport - the celebrations.

"I'm not a fan of the review call. That's not just because we had two go against us," Hodgson said.

"Even watching the games during the week, to award a try and then start walking back and the crowd celebrates and then you've got to come all the way back because it's been reviewed.

"In my opinion that's the reason why we got the bunker a few years ago to get the bunker looking at it early before the ref has to make a decision, go up to the screen.

"It reminds me of the football and the VAR. At the moment there's a lot of people kicking up a fuss about that. It's very similar in my opinion.

"Everyone celebrates and gets excited and then it's a bit of a down moment. At least with the video ref you've got a bit of excitement waiting to see if it will be given or not."

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Kris, who had his try ruled out after the bunker ruled Elliott Whitehead had lost control of the ball before offloading to the Raiders centre, didn't even know about the rule.

He found out the hard way.

The 21-year-old missed all of last season due to extended sick leave, but returned to pre-season fit, healthy and happy.

He shone on the training track and forced his way into the Raiders top-30 after starting the summer on a train-and-trial contract.

A try would have been the cherry on top of his return.

"I'm speechless," he said with a laugh.

"I didn't even know that was a thing. I thought once they awarded it that was that.

"Not much you can do about it, right? I just thought my next job was the most important thing.

"I learnt the hard way, didn't I?"

In regards to the other rules and the speed of the game? Hodgson thought it was slightly quicker, but not too much.

Although he admitted the game might speed up again in the coming rounds as players settle into the season.

Hodgson made a successful return to the NRL after his second knee reconstruction.

Not only did he play the full 80 minutes, but he made 41 tackles, nine dummy half runs and a tackle bust as well.

"It's probably a little bit quicker. The ball stays in play a little bit longer," the world-class hooker said.

"I don't think it's overly fast - maybe that's only round one, it will probably get quicker when everyone gets a little bit more game fitness as well."

Hodgson said the Raiders would need to be better as they prepare to face the Cronulla Sharks at Kogarah Park next Sunday.

He felt the Green Machine was clunky in attack in the first half against the Tigers, but was happy with how they adjusted in the second stanza to seize control of the game.

Having gone it level at 6-all at the break, the Raiders scored four tries to one in the second half to open their season with a win.

Personally, Hodgson found the first 20 minutes tough in his first game since round nine last year.

"The first 20 is always a bit tough on the lungs and when you get your second wind it was pretty good," he said.

"Round one we certainly need to be better than that, but you just take the win whenever you can get them - especially at the start of the year when you just need to get points in the bag.

"The silver lining from the first half was our defence. We put ourselves under some really unnecessary pressure, but we backed it up with some great efforts.

"To keep a team that's got some real strike players on the edges with BJ [Leilua], James Roberts, Luciano Leilua, [Luke] Brooks and [Moses] Mbye to 12 points is a fair effort."

NRL ROUND TWO

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Kogarah Park, 6.15pm.

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