The same rule will apply for next year’s world cup.

The NRL currently stipulates anyone who throws a punch automatically gets 10 minutes in the sin bin or sent off.

The change of rules in the international domain may entice players to have a swing if things get heated.

"(Under international rules) it's up to the referee to decide whether it's a sin bin offence or it's a penalty. It's not mandatory, no," Four Nations boss Jon Dutton told Fairfax Media.

"We've done some work with Andrew Hill, the CEO of the World Cup, to ensure what's played here is as close to possible to the NRL and Super League with a view to them rolling forwards in 2017.

"The differences now are small."

The NRL has come under fire from some rugby league traditionalists who believe the game has been watered down to entice parents to allow their kids to play the game.

The shoulder charge is now illegal and sanctioned with match bans.