It's Official - Interchange to be Reduced to 8 for 2016

[Captain Apollo]

The following is from the NRL's website -

NRL to reduce number of interchanges
Wed 22 Jul, 2015, 4:00pm

The number of interchanges will be reduced to eight and a shot clock will be introduced to reduce stoppages under landmark changes to the NRL Telstra Premiership from next season.

Interchange: The impact on recruitment

NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said the changes, which follow a detailed review of the current interchange system, would be the most significant to the game in decades.

They will see:
- The number of interchanges reduced from 10 to eight
- Four players remain on the bench to make those interchanges
- A shot clock introduced for drop outs and scrums

Mr Greenberg said the reduction in interchanges combined with the shot clock would form a package that would give fans a more continuous and free-flowing game while ensuring the game became safer for the players.
He said that, pending further analysis during the 2016 season, interchanges could be reduced further in the future.

"We think these changes are a significant first step because they will reward endurance and fitness and open up the game," he said.

"As a result of these changes, there will be a greater emphasis on skill to complement power and size.

"We have conducted significant research into the evolution of, and current trends in, the game – how the players are getting bigger, faster and stronger, but more importantly what they will look like 10 years from now.

"We believe that, unless we take action now, the game will become more structured, defensive and predictable in years to come.

"So these changes are designed to ensure we stay ahead of the curve - it is about shaping how the game will look in ten years and beyond.

"We want the best football being played by the best footballers, and all our research points to these changes having a significant impact on the quality of games that our supporters deserve every week.

Mr Greenberg said while the timings of the shot clock were not confirmed, they would make the game more continuous and minimise time wasting and stoppages.

He said research indicated the game would also be safer for players under the eight interchange system, with the prospect of "collision injuries" reduced.

Mr Greenberg added the review recommended that the composition of the interchange bench would remain the same.

The review was conducted by an expert committee headed by Dr Kevin Norton, a Professor of Exercise Science in the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Australia. He has conducted extensive research on injury development and fitness conditioning in other sports, including the AFL.

Mr Greenberg said the review was conducted in collaboration with the Rugby Football League, which will make its own recommendation for the UK Super League.

He said it was also completed following consultation with the NRL Clubs, the State Leagues and the RLPA.

The NSWRL and the QRL have indicated their desire to also reduce the number of interchanges in their VB NSW Cup and Intrust Super Cup respectively.

The interchange reduction would also be replicated across the Holden Cup competition from 2016.

The NRL has been working with other governing bodies around ensuring as much uniformity to the competitions in Australia as well as overseas.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Hopefully this helps to kill the wrestle. Stamina management for the bench players is going to become crucial.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

I'm more concerned with 18th man for foul play/concussion replacements. Not sure what is taking so long with that.

 

[rabbitohs95]

And there goes the George Roses and Sam Kasianos of our game. They will be missed.

 

[Craig Johnston]

the biggest concern for me here is seeing some of the big boppers of the game potentially extinguished and let's face it, the less mass, the less impact. you still want to see blokes like the burgess's barge through people in the later stanzas, steve jackson style.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

The question I have is where does this leave bench utilities? It seems like a bench full of pack players is going to be the best way to make use of this

 

[gUt]

My question is why hasn't Cameron Smith apologised for this yet?

 

[DiegoNT]

Might see less skillful forwards as teams start picking more workhorses/ tackling machines.
Might see an increase in wrestling and penalties as defences try desperately to slow teams down.
might see halves play more conservatively to combat their team tiring out

These rule changes don't always go to plan

 

[Mogsheen Jadwat]

Kick the interchange bench out of the comp

 

[MilkShark]

This is fantastic. I can only hope that it gets reduced to 6 in years to come also.

Lets bring back the little guys who have skills and get rid of the 120kg wingers that try run over the top of people.

I will enjoy watching Kasiano gasping for air while the real footballers come back to the game.

 

[magpie4ever]

You bloody bewdy.

 

[POPEYE]

Should be f**king six

 

[bottle]

My question is why hasn't Cameron Smith apologised for this yet?

He will, in private.

 

[mxlegend99]

This wont make a huge difference IMO. We will just see teams exploiting free interchanges with the concussion tests. Take them off for 15 minutes to get looked at and then throw them back on refreshed and ready to go.

Or change the role they play. Bring them on with 10 minutes to go until halftime. Take them off however long into the second half they can go before being tired. Save them entirely for the end of a game to change momentum.

It will really only make a difference when injuries force changes that weren't planned for. but the good coaches will find a way to keep these big guys in the game.

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

Agree with MX. Hardly a change of significance. May sort the coaches out more than the players.

 

[MilkShark]

The game is already noticeably quicker than previous years. I think we really need to go to 6 interchanges eventually. Only then we will again be able to say our game is for all shapes and sizes.

We need to bring back the players with footballing brains and actual skill and steer away from players who possess only brawn. Once this is done, the game will be exciting again.

 

[Danish]

I still fail to see how the powers that be have come to the conclusion that less interchange will discourage game slowing tactics.

If anything, this is only going to further increase holding down and wrestling tactics as teams desperately try to control the speed of the ruck to improve their forwards' endurance. Although really most teams only use 8 interchanges as it is on forward rotation and another 2 on rotating the hooker/utility, so really IMO the major change that we'll actually see from this is the development of more 80 minute hookers as opposed to more lean, speedy forwards.

Don't get me wrong, I actually like the change as I think having an 80 minute hooker is not rewarded well enough at the moment, but surely if the aim is to reduce the wrestle they should look at actually targeting the f**king wrestle directly than by trying these roundabout tactics.

 

[BunniesMan]

Offloads, line breaks and tries are down. Something needed to change.

I like the changes in theory. But my pessimistic side makes me fear that coaches will just put even more offseason time into creating 80 minute athletes and even less time into creative footy.

 

[MrAnonymous]

I still fail to see how the powers that be have come to the conclusion that less interchange will discourage game slowing tactics.

If anything, this is only going to further increase holding down and wrestling tactics as teams desperately try to control the speed of the ruck to improve their forwards' endurance. Although really most teams only use 8 interchanges as it is on forward rotation and another 2 on rotating the hooker/utility, so really IMO the major change that we'll actually see from this is the development of more 80 minute hookers as opposed to more lean, speedy forwards.

Don't get me wrong, I actually like the change as I think having an 80 minute hooker is not rewarded well enough at the moment, but surely if the aim is to reduce the wrestle they should look at actually targeting the f**king wrestle directly than by trying these roundabout tactics.

Pretty spot on post. The game wont change as much as people think.

Front rowers will still be playing 20 mins on 20 mins off spells.

Bringing it down to 4 or 5 would be the best option imo.

 

[shiznit]

This is fantastic. I can only hope that it gets reduced to 6 in years to come also.

Lets bring back the little guys who have skills and get rid of the 120kg wingers that try run over the top of people.

I will enjoy watching Kasiano gasping for air while the real footballers come back to the game.

Hmmm... I don't think it's going to effect big wingers.

Middle players are the ones which are going to have to adjust.

If anything it may force more teams to play big wingers... As they can come in and take some of the workload away from the guys under the pump in the middle.

The NRL need to be very careful they don't turn the game into glorified touch football.