The NRL are reportedly considering a number of rule changes ahead of the 2026 season, with Super League possibly set to be implicated.
Despite playing the same sport, both the NRL and Super League do have minor differences in respect to rules with an obvious one being the fact that a two-point drop goal exists down under.
Any drop goal scored from beyond the 40-metre line is worth two points as opposed to one, a rule that doesn’t exist in Super League.
Both Super League and the NRL have taken various rules from one another over the years with the Six Again rule migrating from the southern to northern hemisphere, however, that could be set for an amendment in the NRL.
It’s been reported by the Daily Telegraph that four rule changes are being considered ahead of 2026 and whilst they likely won’t have an impact on Super League next year, they could in years to come, and could even be in place at next year’s World Cup if implemented in the NRL next season.
NRL leaked email reveals proposed rule changes
Per The Daily Telegraph, NRL supremo Andrew Abdo sent an email to the clubs that outlined four possible changes ahead of 2026 with three of those being on-field and one off-field.
Squad size
The proposed off-field change would see a matchday squad increase from 17 with an 18th man to 19, however, only four of those interchange players could be utilised. It would allow for more flexibility and potentially stop injuries from ruining games.
Kick-offs
As for the on-field changes, the biggest one relates to kick-offs as it’s reported that the team who concede a try will be given the option of whether they want to kick or receive the next restart.
Currently, the team that concede kick the ball from the restart, however, this proposed change would allow them to be kicked to. It would create more tactical decisions and could help stop momentum.
Seven tackle sets
Players who knock on when attempting to score will no longer be punished with seven tackle sets on the restart, with a standard six tackle set awarded to restart play instead.
Six again
A fresh set of six tackles will be awarded outside the 20-metre mark in a bid to speed the game up. Currently in the NRL, any penalty committed inside the 40 results in a penalty, however, it’s being proposed that should be reduced to just the 20.
No rule changes were made by the NRL in 2025 and these proposed changes are yet to be confirmed. Super League has made a couple of rule changes, mainly relating to the speed at which kicks at goal must be taken.
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