Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
đź“» IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE đź“»
NRL considers adding major rule changes for 2026
Sam Kosack •  December 30th, 2025 3:00 pm
The NRL is preparing to introduce the biggest rule change since the introduction of the six-again rule, among three other potential changes.
Under the NRL’s proposed plan, which could be introduced as soon as the 2026 season, kick offs will now be taken by the scoring team, as opposed to the team that conceded, per Michael Carayannis.
The change is designed to limit teams racing away to lopsided scores, which have become more common since the introduction of the six-again in 2021.
The league is also proposing expanding the bench to six players, however, teams would still only be able to use four players.
The change would provide more options for coaches in the event of concussions and injuries and offer more flexibility than the 18th man rule. It also opens new tactical considerations for coaches.
Effectively, coaches will have the option to select specialist players if injuries befall their team or look for an outside back who might be able to add spark to a game if their team is falling behind.
The change was initially proposed at a meeting with senior coaches including Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart, Michael Maguire and Craig Fitzgibbon.
Interchanges would remain at eight per team.
The NRL will need to talk through the potential changes with the RLPA, clubs and other stakeholders to get approval to implement some of, or all, the changes for the Las Vegas games on March 1.
Other changes include not punishing players who drop the ball over the try line with a seven-tackle set, instead the defending team would receive a play-the-ball at the 20-metre mark, and changes to six-agains that would see them awarded between each side’s 20m line, as opposed to the 40-metre line as it currently stands.
The 2026 season gets underway on March 1 between the Bulldogs and the Dragons in Las Vegas.
