Matt Ballin once forged a reputation as one of the most durable players in the game, but the Wests Tigers rake believes the days of hookers playing 80 minutes a game could be dead.
Alterations to the interchange rule and a shot clock for scrums and line drop-outs this season is expected to significantly speed up the game.
As coaches toss up how to approach the new interchange reductions from 10 to eight players, Ballin believes the days of hookers constantly playing 80 minutes are over.
"If you play a hooker for 80 minutes over a season, that is going to wear that player out," said Ballin, who holds the record for the most consecutive games for Manly - 182.
"We have seen the standard of footy increase each year and hookers who do play every minute of every game every week tend to wear out quickly.
"Whether or not hookers can do that, I don't know. Longevity wise. I know it is better if you have a bit of a rest now and then."
The two-time premiership winner remains sidelined with an ACL injury suffered last year, and is likely to miss the first two months of the new season.
"The knee is coming along well, we are happy with how it is going," he said.
"We haven't put a time frame on it or anything yet, but I am looking forward to getting out there and playing with the Tigers when I am ready."
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