Super League will not follow the NRL in reducing the number of interchanges permitted from next season but is preparing to introduce the adaptation in 2017.
Alongside several high-profile rule changes for 2016, the NRL confirmed on Wednesday that they will be lowering the number of interchanges from 10 to eight, a move which has been done to place a greater emphasis on skill and to make the game less predictable according to their head of football, Todd Greenberg.
However, despite the NRL insisting that it is working with other governing bodies to maintain uniformity within the rules of the sport, Super League will not follow its Australian counterparts in adopting a reduction next year. Instead, the league will remain with the current interchange system for at least another season after clubs were told at a recent Rugby Football League council meeting that the move will not be introduced next season – although it has been described as highly likely to be introduced in 2017.
But by the time the Super League introduces its own reduction in the amount of interchanges, the NRL could have gone another step further after Greenberg revealed it will conduct analysis during the 2016 season to determine whether to lower the number again. “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 – and we believe that, unless we take action now, the game will become more structured, defensive and predictable in years to come.”
However, the Warrington coach Tony Smith believes there is a different reason for the rule change and says he is sceptical about it being introduced in Super League in the future. “I want to see how it goes over there; I’m not convinced about it and I’m not sure it does what they’re saying it does,” he said. “I think there’s other reasons why it’s in; the Australians can’t beat New Zealand at the moment and that’s when rule changes usually happen over there.”
Other changes announced by the NRL for next year include the introduction of a shot clock for both dropouts and scrums, which would make the game more continuous and eradicate time wasting and stoppages in matches.
