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<\/p>\nThe NRL\u2019s pre-season challenge is the first chance to see the new rules changes which were confirmed by rugby league powerbrokers on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
While a drastic change to the kick-off rulings were floated \u2014 they never arrived, leaving all but Wayne Bennett pleased.<\/p>\n
The NRL\u2019s statement confirmed changes to the rules surrounding trainers, the interchange bench, an accidental breach in-goal and where tackle counts can be restarted on the field.<\/p>\n
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Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n The changes, outside of the new interchange rules, will be first implemented this weekend while coaches will have a chance to experiment with a new-look bench from the season-opener in Vegas.<\/p>\n So how will these changes influence the game and what does the rugby league world think of them?<\/p>\n THE INTERCHANGE REVOLUTION<\/p>\n Arguably the biggest change of all will allow teams to pick a bench of six players, an increase from the four previously confirmed an hour before kick-off.<\/p>\n While coaches have six players on the bench at their disposal, only four are allowed to be used \u2014 with eight interchanges permitted across the 80 minutes.<\/p>\n Teams do not have to nominate which four players will be used in the game before the kick-off, representing a big win for coaches who can now cover a wider range of positions on their bench.<\/p>\n The influence of a bench utility could become lesser, with teams able to pick an out-and-out playmaker on the bench should their No.6 or No.7 go down.<\/p>\n The same goes for an outside back \u2014 with NRL coaches previously and traditionally limited to a forward-heavy bench.<\/p>\n This rule\u2019s influence, however, won\u2019t be on display in the pre-season challenge because coaches are granted an unlimited amount of interchanges from a 28-player squad.<\/p>\n For Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, the bench revolution is a welcome one.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is that strategic element and it will be horses for courses because you\u2019ve got to weigh up where your squad\u2019s at,\u201d he said to NRL.com. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to weigh up what you\u2019ve got in your team and on your bench. We\u2019ve got multiple players that can play multiple positions so we\u2019ll go in with a plan and if that plan deviates, then we\u2019ll adjust on the fly. <\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s an injury or a strategic change, you can implement it so it\u2019s nice to have that option.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Sharks, Warriors, Cowboys and Roosters halfback Chad Townsend, this change will be a \u201cfascinating\u201d watch, with utilities potentially on the chopping block.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a really interesting rule, I have always been a bit of a traditionalist with rugby league… I\u2019ve never been a fan of mass changes in the rules area,\u201d he said on SEN.<\/p>\n \u201cBut this one will be interesting to watch. I think we will see more specialist players on the bench. We will see a definite halfback in that six-man rotation and even a fullback.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people are talking about \u2018is it the death of the utility\u2019 now where coaches will have choice around what\u2019s going on in the game.<\/p>\n NRL vs AFL vs Rugby Union?! | 02:38<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, it will be up to the players to go on and execute, I think plans will be in place but obviously scenarios will come up and that will dictate who goes on.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a really fascinating watch.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharks back rower Teig Wilton was also excited to see a wave of new players make their debuts with more players included in match-day squads.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo extra players on the bench opens up extra opportunity for players to get a game and then it also offers a bit more specialisation too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat utility player isn\u2019t as necessary when you have a couple of extra players on the bench and it will be interesting to see how different teams go about it.\u201d<\/p>\n IN-GOAL KNOCK ONS<\/p>\n There will be no seven-tackle set following a knock-on in-goal by the attacking team.<\/p>\n Therefore, wingers can throw everything they have into their aerial finishes \u2014 without the guilt of gifting their rivals an extra tackle.<\/p>\n This one is a welcome change and you can expect to see even more ridiculous attempts at grounding the ball this year and in the pre-season challenge. <\/p>\n THE TRAINER SHIFT<\/p>\n The third rule change is that trainers will be restricted from entering the field of play to prescribed and clearly defined circumstances.<\/p>\n This will ensure player safety remains the priority while reducing unnecessary intrusions by Trainers carrying messages.<\/p>\n However, Townsend explained that the shifts are limited to only the blue shirt trainer \u2014 and clubs will still be able to find a way to manipulate the use of their support staff.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, I still feel like clubs can manipulate this rule to be honest with you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis rule is based around the blue shirt trainer who goes on and carries the messages. But there\u2019s two other trainers every team is allowed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the yellow shirt and the medical orange shirt. Teams can find a way to get a message on the field through those other changes.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be a huge difference… I don\u2019t see it as a massive change for the players.\u201d<\/p>\n RESTARTING THE TACKLE COUNT<\/p>\n The final change implemented by the NRL is for certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line, the tackle count will restart, replacing the current 40-metre threshold.<\/p>\n Simply put, this one will speed up the game.<\/p>\n Now penalties won\u2019t be awarded for those infringements, giving teams only a 20-metre window for a penalty and a break in play.<\/p>\n That leaves 80 metres of the field where set restarts are awarded, not penalties, meaning the game with inevitably have less stoppages.<\/p>\n For Townsend, the former premiership-winning halfback didn\u2019t agree with this change.<\/p>\n Panthers move to extend Cleary contracts | 00:39<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n LADDER BUBBLE: Raiders\u2019 horror top-eight habit exposed; Eels head finals-bound trio<\/a><\/p>\n CRAWLS: Moses move that puts rivals on alert; awkward issue no one will talk about<\/a><\/p>\n