6 man bench

[Rooster_6]

With the new rule of 6 players on the bench what would be the make up of yours and is the role of the utility dead?

14. Prop
15. prop
16. Backrower
17. Hooker
18. Half
19. Outside Back

[Bates]

With the new rule of 6 players on the bench what would be the make up of yours and is the role of the utility dead?

14. Prop
15. prop
16. Backrower
17. Hooker
18. Half
19. Outside Back

Hi Top 5 immortal nominee.

How does the new rule actually work?

["gaz"]

Basically the same.
Barring HIAs you can only use 4 with 8 changes

Some ways I imagine the 18 and 19th positions could be used and based on how the match is unfolding.
It could be used for blooding a rookie, resting a player for example during Origin or at the end of season if the scoreboard permits, keeping a field goal specialist on the bench etc etc.

[caz]

not sure what the best combo is but it will take some managing to make sure players don't go for weeks without playing any footy

[Bates]

Basically the same.
Barring HIAs you can only use 4 with 8 changes

Some ways I imagine the 18 and 19th positions could be used and based on how the match is unfolding.
It could be used for blooding a rookie, resting a player for example during Origin or at the end of season if the scoreboard permits, keeping a field goal specialist on the bench etc etc.

Thanks mate.

80% of NRL fans that I surveyed had NFI how the new rule would work.

You'd make a great apprentice for Sally

[David Sutherland]

I would go with the following bench for starters

• 2 Props
• 1 Backrower
• 1 Utility forward who can also play Dummy Half
• 1 Halves Cover
• 1 Outside utility back - Centre/Wing and hopefully Fullback

The issue will be players 18 and 19 going forward as once 4 interchange players are used and if there is no 18th player activation then when do they play any footy. - will the role of player 18 and 19 be rotated - you would most likely think it would have to be so they do get game time if not used in NRL i.e NSW Cup

Some coaches I read are thinking about using NSW Cup players if playing before the NRL Game - Take 1 or 2 players off at half time and use them as the 18th and 19th player in the NRL game -mmm harps back to the old days of 2 replacements that had to play at least 1/2 a game in Reserve Grade or Under 23's to be be eligible to be used as replacements in 1st Grade

Way back when they were considering the 18th player the thought was that it could be a young player from say Jersey Flegg but that didn't pan out - It wouldn't be a viable option to throw in a youngers at 18 or 19 into an NRL game.

I can't see the 18th and 19th being such players this time around either.

["gaz"]

Thanks mate.

80% of NRL fans that I surveyed had NFI how the new rule would work.

You'd make a great apprentice for Sally

Bates my source was that I read it the Daily Telegraph a couple of weeks ago, nothing special

[Chookies74]

Benaiah and Connor can cover 6,7,9.
Hugo 3,4,6,7,13
Assuming Nat plays prop rotation, we have 6 firstgrade backrowers, so the other 3 eg Egan, Foketi Wong/Steep - backrow and Egan - centre. Wong can play upftont as well. I think Steep could also this year, he's bulked up in offseason.
Teddy gets hurt - Billy to fullback?
Winger hurt - Billy to wing - Egan or Connor to Centre?
We seem to be well suited to the new rule? thoughts?

[Bates]

Bates my source was that I read it the Daily Telegraph a couple of weeks ago, nothing special

You presented it with a pure open heart so very special mate.

Cheers.

[Bates]

I'd definitely carry a specialist back up goal kicker on the bench at the pointy end of the season.

[A Country Member]

4 forwards props/middles
1 hooker/half
1 outside back utility

Play the power game for 60+ mins rolling through the middle and hang on for the last 20

[David Sutherland]

If this rule survives as it is, then quality utility players' value as commodities will rise for sure. It will make it easier for the coach to cover a range of positions rather than having specialist position players on the bench i.e, a specialist second dummy half, for instance.

Watson can play 6. 7 . 9 and 13 so would there be a need to have any of your 6 bench spots taken up by a specialist second dummy half and half ( cover for 6 and 7) - probably/possibly not

[Fishwa]

Not sure which players we use, but i think coaches will (at least initially) pick 4 players like they would normally to use, and then just have an out and out Half, and outside back as spots 5 and 6 - which will only get used if an injury in those positions occurs.

So i dont think it will change much, but just stop situations like 2nd Rowers playing in the centres - so i actually think its a good tweak to the rule - Soccer is similar with 5 subs allowed from i think 12 players on the bench for internationals

[Chook2]

It allows for a game not to be disrupted if a half or outside back goes down
potentially reduces the impact of a true utility on a game
Watsons value might feel a little lower etc
i presume 18-19th men should be rotated as they also need to be playing plenty of nsw cup games to get game time

[Renman]

I'd definitely carry a specialist back up goal kicker on the bench at the pointy end of the season.

I see the logic in your suggestion. My concern is turning into the NFL..... 11 on the field with 46 active players. This rule change is generally being looked at one dimensionally by punters. Coaches will have a very different spin on it and I can see the game dynamics changing substantially as a result of this change. Again, the NRL have probably missed the threat this rule change makes.

Imagine you have an excellent 100% goal kicker who is a shit player. Game tied 2 min to go and you get a penalty. Bring on the kicker.... see my point.