Taylor wants clarity on interchange

Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor says possible changes to the interchange bench size need to be made sooner rather than later so NRL clubs can plan ahead.

Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor wants plans to reduce the interchange bench to be signed off before the end of the 2015 NRL season to give clubs the chance to adjust their playing rosters accordingly.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said on Wednesday a review of the current system could see the number of interchanges reduced from 10 to six in attempt to limit injuries stemming from big collisions.

In 2008, the interchange was decreased from 12 replacements and there had been suggestions it would go down to eight.

Taylor admitted he was sceptical about such a significant drop in bench options available to coaches coming in so soon, but in principle was in favour of the new system which could be in place by the start of the 2016 campaign.

"I think it will be an improvement, I am just a bit worried how big the jump is going to be," Taylor said.

"I just want to know what it is going to be to be honest because it's really important for recruitment.

"It will make players not as attractive as they might have been if it goes down to six. It's a big change."

Greenberg has indicated a decision would be made midway through this season but Taylor said any later would make it too difficult for teams to build a roster that can benefit from the changes.

"They (the NRL) need the time to do the homework on it and in the middle of the year would be fine," he said.

"The end of the year wouldn't be early enough because it's important in regards to recruitment to know what we need to do."

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur gave the changes a thumbs up, but admitted it's because it feels it will benefit his mobile forward pack who lack the size of a team like Canterbury or South Sydney.

"I like it," Arthur said.

"But every coach who gives his opinion is going to have a vested interest ... I think it will suit us."


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Source: AAP


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