Is the game really faster and less safe in 2026? These statistics suggest otherwise
Has rugby league become a glorified game of football, as some suggest? speed is kingWill it result in more injuries and blowout scores?
The numbers paint a different picture.
Statistics based on the first seven rounds of the season show that the pace of NRL matches is largely constant, if not slightly slower, compared to the corresponding period last season.
Statistics provided by the NRL during its meeting with club bosses on Wednesday show that injuries are actually decreasing in 2026, although some clubs (Parramatta, Brisbane and Warriors in particular) have bloated injury wards.
One of the most significant rule changes this season was the expansion of set restarts, which are now awarded from the 20 meter line instead of the 40 meter line. There is a perception that the changes increase the tempo of the game, resulting in more points being scored when backpedaling defenses cannot handle the momentum coming against them.
Although possession time decreased slightly (54.7 minutes per game this season compared to 55.3 minutes in 2025), the average winning margin increased by only 1.79 points per game.
Average ball play [PTB] While the pace was just 0.07 seconds faster, the percentage of PTBs lasting longer than four seconds was down 3.47% year-to-date.
However, perhaps the most interesting finding is that there are now fewer tackles on average per game (288.3 in 2026 vs. 291.2 in 2025).
There was little change in other statistics. Some of the data presented to clubs are as follows:
- There were fewer steals in a game in 2026 than in 2025 (700 in 2025, 680.2 in 2026). These numbers take into account every defender in the tackle.
- Compared to 2025, teams that trailed in the first half have staged three more comebacks so far in 2026.
- This season, three more “favourites” were defeated compared to last season.
- The number of out-of-play defensive players (lying on the ground in the possession area) decreased by 5 percent.
- Movement off the ball (support players and trap runners) increased by 21 percent (from 196 to 239 per game).
The Rugby League Players’ Association recently requested data from the NRL to determine whether rule changes had “unintended consequences”. Figures from the first seven rounds appear to counter suggestions that the structure of the game has changed significantly.
Time will tell whether the numbers will be enough to change the perception of some clubs.
After suffering a devastating injury that left as many as 13 players unavailable for selection. Parramatta urges NRL to consider salary cap exemption To teams affected by serious injuries, particularly those resulting from foul play. Clubs whose stars are injured during representation are granted a salary cap exemption of up to $350,000 per player.
Many clubs supported the Eels’ proposal but the governing body chose not to implement any changes.
Leading coaches also voiced concerns about what they perceived to be a one-in-six increase.
“We’ve lost the texture of the game,” Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said recently.
“Again, comments about gold are now being made willy-nilly.
“Making the game faster doesn’t make it more attractive because the scoreline is 50 to 30. I don’t believe it’s more attractive.”
Parramatta prop Junior Paulo said he has slimmed down in recent seasons to keep up with the game.
Paulo said last week: “You have to adapt and improve and it’s unfortunate that the bigger players in the game are becoming extinct and the game is becoming a more active and fast-paced game.” he said.
