Rohan Smith calls for smart change to 18th man rule after defeat to St Helens

Going into the 2023 Super League season a rule change was added to Super League which saw the league emulate the NRL.

This was the addition of an 18th man which could be used when a team loses three players to head injuries.

Last night Leeds Rhinos lost three players to injuries and were left doing it incredibly tough against the Champions St Helens.

This raised the questioned, should this rule be expanded to include all injuries?

Here is what Smith had to say on the matter as he called for a slight change with the rule.

“No,” he said to suggestions that the rule should include all injuries, “those injuries were attrition based. If they were foul play that would be different.

“I’m not quite sure why we tend to follow the NRL two or three years later, I’m not sure. I’m all for not doing the same as the NRL but if it’s foul play and someone gets injured, you should be able to use the 18th man.

“But for injuries, that’s just the attrition of the game. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t and Yeah, we want attrition in our game, so I want the game to be speed up a bit. We don’t want stoppages And if people get injured that makes it harder for a team will as long as it’s not fair play I would encourage the use of 18th man to be brought in on foul play.”