NRL Reducing Number of Interchanges - Official

[Graham]

The number of interchanges will be reduced to eight and a shot clock will be introduced to reduce stoppages under landmark changes to the NRL Telstra Premiership from next season.

NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg said the changes, which follow a detailed review of the current interchange system, would be the most significant to the game in decades.

They will see:

• The number of interchanges reduced from ten to eight
  
• Four players remain on the bench to make those interchanges
  
• A shot clock introduced for drop outs and scrums
  

Mr Greenberg said the reduction in interchanges combined with the shot clock would form a package that would give fans a more continuous and free-flowing game while ensuring the game became safer for the players.

He said that, pending further analysis during the 2016 season, interchanges could be reduced further in the future.