* 6 man bench will be implemented from R1 2026
* Any of the 6 players can play at anytime.
* maximum 8 interchanges
* Although any of the 6 can.be called upon, only 4 of the 6 will play unless there's hia issues.
I think this will advantage a club like Parramatta as we have good depth especially in the forwards.
The bench will cover for injuries, and teams will now carry outside backs on the bench. The times where teams would have to throw a second rower in the centres will be history,
The concern will.be how much.game time will some players receive. Players like Joash Papalii may not get much game time in reserve grade as he may now become a specialist bench player who can play multiple positions.
My bench would be
14. Walker
15 Moretti
16 Tuivaiti
17. Da Silva
18. Joash
19. Russell
Replies
We've had this shit before, they just go around in n circles this mob.
At least we have a coach who appears a lot more tactical and aware of the need for development as having players sit on a bench for weeks without game time will become an issue.
I would hate to see how BA handled this rule. I think some coaches will really mess this up and it could affect player development but Ryles appears to be open to changes and other people's opinions so will be building strategies and think around all possibilities and how to react.
I also think Ryles will also be aware of debuting players and how sitting on a bench not playing could affect them. They won't be on the bench and not play unless injuries occur early and affect rotations.
Another thing not mentioned is how coaches could mess this up. For example if JAC looks like he has a bad injury or will fail HIA. We put on an outside back but he passes the HIA or injury isn't as bad as thought. Suddenly we are down a forward on the bench and if TDS or Walker or both have already been used it leaves us 1 big forward on the bench. This is where having versatile players still comes in to cover positions while injuries or HIA are being assessed.
Poor use of this rule could affect teams as much as previously not having a back on the bench has.
The death of the utility player
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