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Within the upcoming days, the NRL is scheduled to announce a plan to overhaul the interchange system in preparation for the 2016 season, reducing the number of substitutions from ten to eight.
The rule change will be the first implemented since 2008, and is expected to be introduced over the coming weeks. The aim of the fix will be to look at making the smaller man more relevant in the current game, in turn, hopefully reducing injury and adding excitement.
But what about the big men?
Rugby league thrives on big behemoths charging at the line for ten minutes, then being subbed off for 30 minutes, before entering the field again.
Here we take at look at how a reduced interchange will effect your club.
Key:
1 – Fit as a fiddle
10 – Fatty Vautin after a Zumba class
Brisbane Broncos – 3/10
The Broncos have a fit and strong forward pack with the likes of Sam Thiday, Adam Blair and Matt Gillett, and so should be relatively unaffected by the reduced interchange.
This paired with their blistering backline pace, the Broncos should be at an advantage later in the game when other teams start to become tired from the reduced substitutions.
Gold Coast Titans – 7/10
The Gold Coast Titans have a mixture of long and short term forwards. Players like Eddy Pettybourne and Dave Taylor, who don’t average more then 40 minutes a game, put them at a disadvantage when it comes to organising their rotations.
However, players like Greg Bird and Beau Falloon thrive on playing at the line and aim to catch out tired forwards, giving them the edge towards the back end of games.
Wests Tigers – 6/10
The Wests Tigers could sink-or-swim with the new ruling. Aaron Woods and Sausao Sue have the potential to play long minutes if needed. However, the same can’t be said for their impact players off the bench, like Keith Galloway, who’s ageing legs only allow him to play reduced minutes.
Luke Brooks on the other hand, is one of the quickest halves in the game, and has already shown in his first two years of NRL that he isn’t shy about taking the line-on, which could put the odds back in their favour.
Sydney Roosters – 6/10
At first glance, the Roosters look like a club that would be one of the most affected, however, that is not the case. Players like Sam Moa and Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who normally have a big impact off the bench, will of course be affected, however, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa capable of playing bulk minutes, it improves their overall position.
Of course, with players like Roger Tuviasa-Sheck and Micheal Jennings who thrive at running in between tired forwards, it gives them a good advantage.
New Zealand Warriors – 4/10
The New Zealand Warriors will be one of the least affected clubs and will be benefited in the long run. The Warriors boast a big strong forward pack, all of whom are capable of playing long minutes.
When paired with the likes of Shaun Johnson, who is unstoppable at the line, normally means the Warriors could be a very strong force to be dealt with next season.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – 7/10
Manly boast an ageing forward pack which could prove costly with the upcoming change. Players like Willie Mason and Feleti Mateo, who generally come off-and-on a few times in a match, will need to improve their game minutes if they want to compete with other teams.
Manly have good reserves who could play long minutes if needed, meaning they could just play their starting props as impact players next season.
Melbourne Storm – 5/10
The Melbourne Storm has quite a fit forward pack, with the likes of Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor. They also possess the best hooker and arguably the best half in the game, both of whom will be able to pick out the struggling forward in the defensive line and create space and scoring opportunities which might give them the upper hand.
St George Illawarra Dragons – 6/10
The Dragons are another one of those teams who could go either way. Their forward pack is big and strong, but also gets rotated regularly during a game.
They have the potential to play long minutes, but will not be used to it, meaning it could be a slow start to the season. Obviously, fan favourite George Rose is not capable of playing long minutes and the new interchange rule could put his future in doubt.
However, with Benji Marshall regaining form, he will be able to create some holes and put players past tired forwards giving them the upper hand.
South Sydney Rabbitohs – 7.5/10
The biggest crack in the Rabbitohs defence are the Burgess twins. Both possess an error in their game, particularly when tired, and both players are potential targets when teams look to expose the Rabbitohs.
The big men start to blow at the back end of each half and Tim Grant has never been known for his long minute hauls, neither has Ben Lowe off the bench. Despite their classy back line, the deficiency in their forward pack could prove costly.
Newcastle Knights – 7/10
The Newcastle Knights boast a mixture of strong-ball runners and carriers in their pack. Kade Snowden is their biggest downfall, averaging less then 40 minutes per game, despite being a starting prop.
The likes of Beau Scott and Tariq Sims are all well capable of playing long minutes, so it improves their chances quite a bit. If the Knights can improve their back line and create a team which could capitalise off a tired defensive line, their chances next season could be better then 2015.
Penrith Panthers – 8/10
When your team is called the mountain men you know it was never going to look good. Starting props for the Panthers are Nigel Plum and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, both of whom clock out at 110kgs+ and play less than a half a game.
Their second row gives them a slight edge with some fast and strong ball runners who have good offloads could catch a tired team short, but when you look at the size they have on the bench and the minutes their forwards play, a major shakeup might be in place at the foot of the mountain for next season.
Canberra Raiders – 8/10
The Raiders have one of the biggest packs in the game, with six of their forwards over 110kgs. However, this obviously won’t be such a good thing next season with players like Paul Vaughan and Josh Papalii who all play shortened minutes throughout the game.
Their biggest down fall is the giant Shannon Boyd, who clocks out at 121kgs. His impact off the bench is one of the best in the competition, but only averages 27 minutes. These minutes might not be enough for next season, so how he handles the extra time on the park is the big question for the talented 22-year-old.
Cronulla Sharks – 6/10
Cronulla has quite a large forward pack, but unlike most teams, this could be a good thing. Andrew Fifita and David Fifita are big players and possess great offload stats, which could be a major benefit for the Sharkies.
Players like Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen, who always play long minutes, give the Sharks a great position when it comes to a shortened interchange. The only worry is their bench, with four of their six bench players appearing this season being forwards.
North Queensland Cowboys – 4/10
The Cowboys have one of the fittest and strongest packs in the game. Matt Scott, James Tamou and Gavin Cooper are capable of playing a whole game if needed, making the Cowboys one of the least affected teams from the change. Of course, when you throw in the class of Johnathan Thurston and the sniper running from hooker Jake Granville, the Cowboys will be sitting comfortably next season.
Parramatta Eels – 8.5/10
The Parramatta Eels are already struggling this season, but next year could be even worse. Players like Junior Paulo and Tim Mannah are both 110kgs and will struggle to play long minutes next season.
With Pauli Pauli, Darcy Lussick and Daniel Alvaro on the bench, all of whom tip the scales at over 110kgs and all of whom play minual minutes, it raises the question of weather the Eels will be able to keep their upcoming forward pack next year.
On a positive note, the Eels second row is very fit and strong, and there’s no doubt it will all come down to their front row to determine how well they fair with a shortened interchange.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – 9/10
We all knew that the Bulldogs would be the worst off. They have arguably one of the biggest forward packs in modern rugby league and it raises questions as to whether they will keep it that way next season.
Sam Kasiano is a poster boy for the modern game’s big man, and based on recent years could find himself under the pump with an increased workload. Since 2013, the 125 kilo Bulldogs prop has been used in short stints from Des Hasler’s bench that have come to an average of just 33 minutes per game.
Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard, David Klemmer, Tim Browne and Aiden Tolman are all players who will need to play longer minutes next season. There is no doubt that the Bulldogs team rolls off the back of its giant forward pack and with a shortened interchange, it raises the question as to whether they will be able to produce the same form next year.
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