RFL and NRL begin rugby league interchange review
Tuesday 24 March 2015 22:02, UK
The Rugby Football League is working with Australia's National Rugby League on a review of the interchange rules aimed at making the sport safer and more exciting.
A panel of health experts and academics have been commissioned to consider the number of interchanges and the composition of the substitutes bench using statistical data gathered in both Super League and the NRL over the last decade.
The number of replacements was lowered from 12 to 10 in 2008 and could now be cut further in an attempt to reduce the number of potentially dangerous collisions on the field.
The RFL's chief operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: "Rugby league is a sport that has continually evolved throughout its 120-year history, both on and off the pitch, and its rules have always reflected the way in which the game is played.
"Modern rugby league players are outstanding physical athletes who are stronger, fitter and faster than ever before. Consequently, we believe that collisions are more powerful, which impacts on the health and welfare of our players.
"Both the RFL and the NRL recognise our responsibilities to not just deliver a fantastic, free-flowing spectacle but to protect the well-being of our players in an era when the use of the interchange bench means matches are more structured than ever before.
"We recognise that changes to the interchange rules could reduce the risk of injury by putting more emphasis on skill rather than power and size and that may become more clear from the findings of the joint review."
The review will take place over the next two months during which time there will be consultation with coaches, club representatives, players' associations, fans and the two governing bodies, with any changes to be brought in ahead of the 2016 season.
