Rugby league players could increasingly be asked to play two matches on the same day as a result of the expansion of the interchange bench.
The NRL on Wednesday announced four new rules after a meeting of the ARL Commission, with the increase from four to six players on the interchange bench the tweak with the most tactical significance.
Could Queensland unleash a superstar such as Kalyn Ponga late in a tight Origin game under the new interchange rules?Credit: Getty Images
Given most coaches had previously opted for a bench composition of three forwards and a utility player, back-rowers often had to replace injured outside backs, while there was rarely an adequate replacement on the bench when a playmaker was forced from the field.
Even before the beefing up of the bench, it was possible to play a full game of NSW or Queensland cup and then be brought into the first-grade squad for another match on the same weekend – or even the same day. While backing up in that fashion rarely happened in reality, it is likely to become a much more common occurrence under the new interchange rules.
“We have situations where it’s an option for a club to utilise a player in that regard as a back-up,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. “That will be possible.”
If a fringe player plays reserve grade every week before sitting on the NRL interchange bench, they could find themselves called upon to play twice in quick succession, possibly even on the same day. The scheduling of games – sometimes reserve grade is played before, the day of or after an NRL fixture – is another complicating factor.
What impact will the new rules have on star utilities such as Tyran Wishart (centre).Credit: Getty Images
“This is going to be about the clubs managing their players, their workloads and their game time,” Abdo said. “It’s not in the clubs’ interest to have a player not exposed to playing regularly, whether it be NSW Cup, Queensland Cup or at NRL level.
“The flexibility is going to be there for the clubs to decide on who they select and when they play. That will include, potentially, on some weekends, playing in the NSW Cup and Queensland Cup, and then potentially sitting on the bench. That is possible for the clubs and something they will have to consider as part of their selection.”
