New Interchange Rules need to be cleared up now
If you believe the rumours, the NRL will look very different this time next year. A reduction in the number of interchanges each team is allowed per game has been tossed around, and not just by the usual newspaper and radio pundits. The NRL, via Todd Greenburg, announced an official review on the interchange laws back in March in a move they believe will make the game “safer and more exciting”. On paper it appeared to be a reasonably exhaustive review taking in feedback from State Leagues, the CRL, Superleague and a range of sports scientists.
The pros and cons of an interchange reduction (to eight or even six) have been well documented and are not what this article is about. What is concerning me beyond the process of making the right decision is the timeline in which it will be made.
Back in March the coverage of the announcement of an interchange review suggested a 2016 roll out of the new laws worldwide. Of course the Rugby League world was a different place in March. NRL teams were excited about the year ahead, the Eels were talking up top four prospects, Michael Gordon was the Cronulla fullback and Paul Gallen’s leg was bruise free.
By now it’s May. Teams are pouring over their losses, re-adjusting their training practises and it can’t be long before we lose our first coach of the season. Clubs are starting to announce signing for next season. All normal May form except still no one knows how next year’s rules will look.
Make no mistakes, if an interchange limit of six is applied from next year on, it will significantly affect the shape of any selected 17 and potentially who teams will recruit. Big, heavy props with minimum minutes in them will either have to adjust their game or risk being shafted. Lighter, more forwards with more endurance will be a greater asset.
Which is great for them, but what about the big men who may need time to change their bodies and build up more stamina? What about the big men off contract this year? Off-contract players such as Ben Murdoch-Masilla (114kg), George Rose (115kg) and Siosaia Vave (115kg) may be about to become an unwanted resource without even knowing it yet. And other props off contract like Felise Kaufusi (who played for 19 minutes last week), Sika Manu (45 min), Sam Tagataese (41 min), Ben Hannant (30 min) and Dayne Weston (16 min) may be exhausting themselves into obscurity.
And teams also face recruitment and retention uncertainty. The Knights signed Mickey Paea (111kg+) on Friday presumably not knowing if his large frame and powerful motor will be an asset or a liability in 2016.
Or… do the clubs know. Is it a fait accompli that a reduction in the interchange is imminent and the clubs have been whispered such by the powers at the NRL.
Either way its one thing to keep the fans in the dark, but it is quite another to keep a decision from the men whose livelihood depends on which way the NRL goes.
