Jared Waerea-Hargreaves backs moves to reduce interchange from eight to six in season 2021
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has joined the 95 per cent of rugby league fans who want to see a reduction of the interchange to increase the entertainment value of the game.
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Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has backed rugby league fans who have overwhelmingly voted in favour of reducing the interchange from next season, saying he has no problems punching out extra minutes if needed.
The Daily Telegraph asked readers if they wanted to see the NRL reduce the interchange and 95 per cent of respondents voted for a change, which is likely to be introduced in 2021.
The three-time premiership-winning front-rower said he would support a reduction in the interchange from eight to six as a way to bring more fatigue into the game and help make it a better spectacle.
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“If we are looking to improve as a whole and as a game then that could be an area to focus on. I think if we were to limit the interchange, that’s definitely an area where it will become more expansive and the ad lib footy will become more a theme in the game.
@The likes of James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will come alive a lot more. It just means defence, front rowers, middle players will need to be cleaner,” Waerea-Hargreaves said.
After switching to one referee for the rest of 2020, a reduction in the interchange is the next frontier in ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys’ battle to reduce the impact wrestling has on the game.
V’landys told The Daily Telegraph on Monday neutralising the wrestle and increasing fatigue would help increase the entertainment value of the sport.
Rather than take offence at V’landys’ comments as member of the side going for three straight titles, it’s a sentiment that Waerea-Hargreaves agrees with and believes can bring out the best in all players, not just the excitement machines.
“You have to make sure your skills are on, you’re clean and you’re effective in what you are doing because the likes of James Tedesco are coming through and if you are trying to push for that time with limited interchanges you have to make sure your minutes are quality and you’re not just hanging on for the sake of it,” he said.
The Kiwi international averaged 51 minutes in 2019 and has welcomed the chance to spend even more time on the field.
“If it’s meant to be then I’m happy to do it,” Waerea-Hargreaves said.
“I kind of like it to be honest with you. It doesn’t really change my role, if anything I’ll play more minutes. Losing two interchanges is probably a good thing for front rowers that start and like to play longer minutes, it just means that if the starting front rowers can start well and take them to a stage where they are fatigued then hopefully the other two interchanges that come on a little bit earlier.”
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Teammate and rising hooker Sam Verrills, who has been playing from the bench with Jake Friend starting in 2020, didn’t object to the move but was also happy with the current system of eight interchanges a game.
Six interchanges could make the role of the bench hooker or utility redundant.
“That’s for the coaches to decide [the make up of the bench]. But if the six interchange rule came into play there would be a lot of tired people out there which obviously does benefit us [smaller players]. Personally, I don’t mind it being eight at the moment,” he said.