Wayne Bennett’s blunt message to players over rule changes for 2026 NRL season
Wayne Bennett has slammed the players’ union’s criticism over a lack of consultation on NRL rule changes, scoffing at suggestions the game’s top stars would struggle to adjust
Peter Badel
NRL: The latest batch of rule changes from the NRL has been made official with debate circling around the future of the bench utility role.
Wayne Bennett has blasted the Rugby League Players Association, hitting back at suggestions the NRL’s rule changes are rushed and could have a negative impact on the competition.
A key member of the NRL’s competition committee, Bennett put the code’s rule modifications under the microscope and explained why the changes will take the quality of football to another level this season.
The NRL has come under fire for introducing four rule amendments for the 2026 premiership - less than two months after key stakeholders were consulted on proposed changes to the way the game would be played this season.
RLPA boss Clint Newton argued the teams needed more time to adapt to the rule tweaks and he found an ally in Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi, who was critical of the NRL over a lack of player consultation.
But South Sydney and NRL Hall of Fame coach Bennett scoffed at suggestions the code’s top stars would struggle to adjust to the changing face of the competition, which officially kicks off next month.
Bennett is a fan of the NRL's rule changes. Picture: NRL Imagery
“Rushed? What’s rushed about it?” Bennett fired in the wake of the ARL Commission rubberstamping four of five rule recommendations.
“People just love to whinge.
“It’s just bulls*** saying the rules are rushed in.
“What’s the blowback about from the RLPA? Why should the RLPA be consulted? They aren’t the rule makers. We have administrators and competition committees for that.
“How much time do we need to practice this? We don’t have to practice anything. The rule changes are minor. You just have to make sure you get off the guy in the tackle, don’t kick the ball dead if you don’t want seven tackles against you and the coaches have flexibility on the interchange bench.
“We don’t need a whole season to prepare for an extra two interchange players.
“This will lead to a better product. We have a great product now but all these changes will mean more upside for the game.
“It’s simple tweaks, that’s what I like about it.”
THE TRAINERS
The NRL is banning blue-shirt trainers from running on the field during play. Bennett applauded trainers being restricted to entering play after a try is scored or a goal-line dropout.
“I wish we brought this rule in years ago,” he said.
“We are paying players $1 million to play rugby league and we have trainers running out telling them what to do.
“I used to love ‘Alf’ (Broncos halfback legend Allan Langer). I never sent any messages to Alf because I knew he didn’t like my messages. I sent a few down but in the end I stopped sending them down because I knew he wasn’t telling them what I wanted him to.
Allan Langer wasn’t the most reliable relayer of messages, according to Wayne Bennett.
Allan Langer wasn’t the most reliable relayer of messages, according to Wayne Bennett.
“We spend $12-13 million on players and we need someone always running out there telling them what to do. Usually by the time we send the message out, it’s over anyway.
“The last thing we need to worry about on game days is some bloody trainer always running out on the field.
“I have never been a fan of it. I’m pleased we have knocked it on the head.
SUPER SIX SUBS
Teams can now choose between six players, instead of four, on their interchange bench. It means coaches will have a 19-man squad on game day and Bennett says it will be a critical solution in the event of an injury crisis.
“This is a great innovation to the game,” he said.
“There was no better example than the grand final last year. Melbourne lost a centre (Jack Howarth) in the first 15 minutes and that’s a specialist position.
“They had to put on another player that wasn’t a centre because of the four-man interchange. “That’s not just fair to a team.
“A freak injury can happen to all of us, so with the extended interchange bench now, we have more flexibility, you have some choices on the bench.
“This is going to be very popular I believe. You will have two players who won’t get to play on the day but if there’s an injury crisis or unforeseen change, you can make a wiser choice.
“As coaches, we would have to be smart about how to use the six men, we’ll probably hold our interchanges back now to see where the game is going.
“Reece Walsh got knocked out in State of Origin a few years ago and fullback is a specialist position.
“We’ve seen the extended bench work well in rugby union so it’s a wonderful idea.”
SEVENTH HEAVEN
There will be no seven-tackle set following a knock-on in goal by the attacking team.
“That rule was something we discussed and we let it get away on us,” Bennett said.
“The game we’re playing, field position is so important, that extra tackle makes a difference.
“If you go to score a try and the ball gets knocked out of your hand, suddenly the other team gets seven tackles. It’s just unfair.
“We initially introduced the rule to stop kicking and encourage teams to start running the ball more, because teams were exploiting the rule and kicking to get the ball back.
“If the ball goes dead from a kick, we still have seven tackles, but if you lose it in the act of scoring, you won’t be penalised by having to defend a seven-tackle set.”
TWENTY-20 VISION
Referees will signal six-again for certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line, replacing the current 40-metre threshold.
“This will be a good thing for the game,” Bennett said.
“Not much is happening at the back of the field these days. We’re mainly seeing hit up after hit up and it’s not entertaining, that doesn’t excite the fans. We are seeing three and four guys dominating in the tackles before the 40-metre line and slowing down the play the ball to make sure you don’t get too far down the field.
“By having six-agains from the 20 metre zone, this will encourage teams to use the ball from closer to their line and they can build momentum if a team gives away another set of six.
“The extra 20-metre differential is a good thing. The six-again has changed the game a fair bit and the constant roll on can kill teams, no doubt.
“We have to keep refining the rules and trying to get better. We wouldn’t have the advanced motor cars today if we stayed with Henry Ford’s car in 1912.
“The fundamentals of our game aren’t changing with this, it’s important we co
