Canterbury Bulldogs director of football Phil Gould has revealed more rule changes could be coming the NRL's way in 2026.
Taking to his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Gould suggested the game could be about to change again.
"Rule changes..." Gould wrote.
"Word on the street suggests, we have plenty of rule changes heading out way...
"Funny game rugby league."
The three-line social media post could be hinting at changes around the kick-off, which has been an area under the microscope in recent times as head knocks and concussions have become an increasingly large issue for the code.
The idea of forcibly shorter kick-offs, or scrapping them altogether, has been floated in recent times, with the NRL weighing up all options following a rise in the number of head clashes when forwards take the first hit up of a set off the dead ball line.
The NRL has already seen rule changes around kick-offs in recent times, with teams encouraged into short kick-offs and drop outs by rules which mean they avoid a penalty when it goes wrong.
News Corp though are reporting kick-offs will remain, but the team who conceded will have the option of either kicking off or receiving.
The other changes reported include match day squads being increased to 19, but with interchanges still capped at eight, players not giving away seven-tackle sets for knock ons in the act of scoring, and the six-again rule being moved back to the 20-metre zone, rather than 40-metre zone as it was this year.
Other rule changes in recent times have related to head high contact, and speeding the game up, with mixed reviews from fans. There could well be a rollback in some of the more extreme changes to the game, although Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter V'Landys has suggested a faster game will always equal a better product.
The NRL have not indicated rule changes are coming for 2026, but typically confirm the status of the rule book for the upcoming season in January, meaning an announcement should be imminent.
