Official 2026 NRL General Discussion

Leading NRL coaches have thrown their support behind a radical proposal to potentially double the interchange bench to eight players in a rule change that would shake up rugby league.
Premiership winning coaches including Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart and Michael Maguire, as well as Cronulla’s Craig Fitzgibbon, met earlier this month and found unified support in expanding the NRL game day squad to up to 21 players.

That would double the size of the interchange bench from four to eight players, but the current limit of eight interchanges per game would remain, and only four players from the eight could be called upon.

 
I'd hope that 4 of them would be allowed to double up from the other grades, otherwise they'd go stagnant.
 
Western Sharkie said:
Leading NRL coaches have thrown their support behind a radical proposal to potentially double the interchange bench to eight players in a rule change that would shake up rugby league.
Premiership winning coaches including Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart and Michael Maguire, as well as Cronulla’s Craig Fitzgibbon, met earlier this month and found unified support in expanding the NRL game day squad to up to 21 players.

That would double the size of the interchange bench from four to eight players, but the current limit of eight interchanges per game would remain, and only four players from the eight could be called upon.

Click to expand...

I actually dont hate it.
 
I get having half a spare team on the bench allows you to cover all key positions, but if the 8 interchange rule remains, there'll be a truckload of bench players with splinters, unavailable for cup...
 
slide rule said:
Why not just go to 5 or 6?
Click to expand...
Yeah I like 5 or 6 better than 8.
4 unused is a bit much, especially if limiting them from Cup/junior grades often

Also a perfectly good case still for stick with 4 and if you’re not versatile bad luck.
But in that instance I think 18th and 19th should be available to choose between if activated by concussions or foul play
 
bort said:
Yeah I like 5 or 6 better than 8.
4 unused is a bit much, especially if limiting them from Cup/junior grades often

Also a perfectly good case still for stick with 4 and if you’re not versatile bad luck.
But in that instance I think 18th and 19th should be available to choose between if activated by concussions or foul play
Click to expand...
maybe carry 6. 5 and 6 are concussion subs only, one forward, one back
 
Western Sharkie said:
Leading NRL coaches have thrown their support behind a radical proposal to potentially double the interchange bench to eight players in a rule change that would shake up rugby league.
Premiership winning coaches including Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart and Michael Maguire, as well as Cronulla’s Craig Fitzgibbon, met earlier this month and found unified support in expanding the NRL game day squad to up to 21 players.

That would double the size of the interchange bench from four to eight players, but the current limit of eight interchanges per game would remain, and only four players from the eight could be called upon.

Click to expand...
Where will we find 4 extra Dan Atkinsons?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top