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Opinion
When rugby league broke away from union over 100 years ago apparently there were trial games with 12 players as well as 13.
According to legend, for the sake of a couple of votes in some dusty old committee meeting, league teams could have had 12 players all this time.
Would league be better with 12 players? There is a case to be had that the modern game would be.
One of the primary reasons for reducing the number of players on the field is to increase the flow of the game. With 13 professional, full-time players on each side, there are few gaps on the field. Modern games are highly structured and spend too long being described as a battle to win the ruck or the ‘wrestle’.
Remember the slashing backfield runs, the chip and chase, the heroic cover defense of the 80s?
Reducing the number of players to 12 would create more space on the field, allowing for faster, more ad hoc gameplay – dare I say it, more eyes-up footy! This would lead to more exciting moments in the game, which is what fans come to see.
With fewer players on the field, players would also have to be more strategic in their play, making the game even more exciting.
Less players in tackles, less injuries?
Would it? Who knows, perhaps the NRL could trial it next pre-season and see what happens. We’ve done 7s, 9s, let’s give 12s a go!
Surely there would be less three-player tackles which would reduce the prevalence of cannon balls, chicken wings and the rest of the buffet of injury inducing tackles.
Would it reduce HIA? Again, I don’t know but with more space, players would run at gaps rather than straight into the line with their teeth gritted hoping for the best.
Reducing the number of players on the field would also make the game more accessible to smaller players. With bigger gaps the nimble player who can step around a tiring big player is rewarded.
More players breaking into the backfield and the free-flowing footy that comes from it is a great spectacle. Apart from Preston Campbell, can anyone think of a successful, genuinely small player in the last twenty years? No luck?
They are gone, replaced by the ubiquitous 6’1 100kg battery hen. The game could be improved with some diversity in size and shape.
Preston Campbell (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
This point is tongue in check, but expanding the NRL with new teams becomes a lot easier with only 12 players on the field.
Reducing every game day squad from 17 down to 16 players creates an extra team immediately. Round them up, send them to Perth and welcome back Western red coloured Bears.
Who we get rid of doesn’t really matter, the game evolves and reaches a new equilibrium. It probably has to be number 13 though given there are only 12 players on the field.
Scrums without a lock will still work so I don’t see too many problems. Imagine a 12-player game with players in the sin bin, now that would be a spectacle!
In conclusion, reducing the number of players on the field from 13 to 12 could have benefits for the sport of Rugby League. It would increase the flow of the game, reduce the risk of injuries, make the game more accessible to smaller humans, aid expansion and create a more level playing field between teams.
While there may be some resistance to this change from traditionalists, it is worth considering as it may make the sport more exciting, enjoyable, and accessible to a wider audience.
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