Moves by the NRL to significantly reduce the number of interchanges have been welcomed as a boon for playmakers, with predictions it could lead to the eradication of the dreaded wrestle.
The NRL on Wednesday announced plans to conduct a review of the rule permitting 10 interchanges per team per game.
That number was reduced from 12 in 2008 and could be brought down further to as few as six next season. Eight interchanges is another possibility.
There has long been concern the current rules favour bigger, less athletic players and are eliminating smaller playmakers from the game.
South Sydney premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire backed the move as vital in cementing the game as a spectacle.
“Reducing the interchange brings a lot more fitness into the game, which means the little men pick on the bigger men a little bit more, which will bring entertainment to the game,” Maguire said.
“It will bring in that fatigue factor. With the interchange the way it is at the moment, the fitness of players in this day and age, they’re getting fitter and fitter. It’s hard for the little man to continually be at his best and find those big men.”
Some have predicted the move could return rugby league to its glory days of the 1990s when the code’s popularity skyrocketed on the back of some of the greatest attacking sides assembled.
Manly skipper Jamie Lyon said the proposed moves would change the NRL for the better.
“I like it. It would be better for the game; it will be more free flowing, more attack; it will be better for the fans and it would be good for the smaller guys who can get around the field and show their flair.
“I think it would be a good move.”
Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah, who regularly plays 80 minutes, is also keen on the idea.
“It might make things a bit easier by keeping some tired forwards out on the field which would be handy for myself and some other smaller players.
“I think it will open up the game a bit, it should negate a lot of the wrestling, when fatigue kicks in, it is hard to continually get three people into the tackle.
“You will probably see a lot more second phase which is only a positive for the game.”
The NRL said the review would be conducted over the next two months, 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.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg predicted fewer interchanges could reduce injuries.
“In particular, it may reduce the risk of injuries to the head, neck and spinal column from big collisions,” he said.
“It could also ensure teams place greater emphasis on skills, rather than power and size.”
